Florida takes the lead for five-star QB, just not the one it first expected

By Adam Silverstein
July 22, 2017
Florida takes the lead for five-star QB, just not the one it first expected
Football

Image Credit: 247Sports

When five-star quarterback Justin Fields (Kennesaw, GA) decommitted from Penn State after months of the Florida Gators pushing for his services, it appeared clear that Florida was in the driver’s seat for a flip. Six weeks later, after unofficial visits to UF and four other major programs, that is clearly not the case.

Instead, the Gators have suddenly taken the lead for another five-star signal caller in Matt Corral (Long Beach, CA), a recent USC decommit who visited Florida for the first time while attending Friday Night Lights.

Unlike Fields, who was also at FNL, Corral is not keeping his recruitment close to the vest and does not seem to be confused among his suitors. In a conversation with 247Sports‘ Tom Ley following FNL ($), Corral responded in the affirmative when asked if the Gators led in his recruitment. “I can 100 percent see myself playing in The Swamp in blue and orange,” he said.

Corral spent time speaking with head coach Jim McElwain and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, leaving camp sure that Florida would be a good fit. There was some speculation on Twitter that Corral might commit before the weekend is out, but he has a planned visit for the other member of his top two, Georgia, that he will likely take next week before making a decision.

While Corral did nothing but praise the Gators on Friday night, Fields was more demure, as he has been following stops elsewhere. The nation’s No. 2 prospect — a once-in-a-decade quarterback recruit — has also visited Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and Georgia since decommitting from Penn State. Though his recruitment was once thought to be a UF-AU battle, it now appears that FSU is his secret leader.

The Gators may have to decide whether to take the bird in the hand — a commitment from the No. 23 prospect and No. 2 quarterback in the nation in Corral — or hold out hope for Fields to make a call. One would assume Florida takes Corral’s commitment if he offers it and builds off potentially the most talented arm it will have recruited since Rex Grossman.

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