Update on five-star 2011 recruits: Saunders commits, Wilder leaning toward Gators

Earlier today, OGGOA reported that five-star 2011 athlete De’Ante “Pop” Saunders of DeLand High School had verbally committed to the Florida Gators. One of the top players in the nation, Saunders received a written scholarship offer via fax at DeLand and immediately called defensive coordinator Charlie Strong to commit to the Gators.

“I’m not so sure the Gators recruited him as much as he recruited the Gators,” DeLand head coach Kevin Pettis told Gator Country Tuesday afternoon. “Certainly having Mikey [Gillislee – Gators freshman running back] up there was big, because they’ve been friends since they were babies. That was big for Pop in making this decision, and it was big for Mikey. He’s excited about it as well.”

More good news came for the Gators on Tuesday, as another five-star 2011 recruit let it leak that he was leaning toward the Orange and Blue. According to Bright House Sports Network‘s Victoria Lim, running back/linebacker James Wilder, Jr. of Plant High School in Tampa, FL, is also leaning toward making his verbal commitment. The son of the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back of the same name said he has not ruled out making official visits to other schools, however.