Four-star linebacker Christian Miller (Columbia, SC), a member of the Rivals100 for the 2014 recruiting cycle, became the third player to commit to the Florida Gators at Junior Day in Gainesville, FL on Saturday.

Miller, who registered 14 sacks during his junior campaign at Spring Valley High School, joined offensive linemen Travaris Dorsey (Jacksonville, FL) and Benjamin Knox (Deland, FL) as the newest members of Florida’s recruiting class. The Gators now have six pledges for 2014 with Miller on board as just the second defensive player.

The son of former South Carolina starter and nine-year NFL veteran LB Corey Miller, he undoubtedly took his father’s advice when making his pledge. The older Miller was coached by new Florida defensive line coach Brad Lawing when both were at USC.

The Gators gained and lost a Rivals100 member on Saturday. Prior to adding Miller (ranked No. 91 overall), Florida lost four-star defensive tackle Travonte Valentine (Palm Bay, FL). The No. 46-ranked prospect decommitted from the Gators in order to open up his recruitment, a move that was expected and certainly not a surprise.

Florida’s other 2014 pledges include four-star quarterback Will Grier (Davidson, NC), four-star wide receiver Ryeshene Bronson (Fort Myers, FL) and four-star cornerback Duke Dawson (Cross City, FL). All three are ranked on the Rivals250 at No. 18, No. 119 and No. 219, respectively.

Miller’s commitment was first reported by ESPN‘s Kipp Adams.

Tags: Benjamin Knox, Brad Lawing, Christian Miller, Duke Dawson, NFL, Ryeshene Bronson, Travaris Dorsey, Travonte Valentine, Will Grier

Not all recruitments are filled with back-and-forth battles and down-to-the-wire decisions, which is why it was relatively easy process for long-time lean and four-star 2014 defensive back Duke Dawson (Cross City, FL) to pull the trigger and commit to the Florida Gators on Tuesday.

Just 51 miles west of the University of Florida at Dixie County High School, Dawson sat down in front of family, friends and media and announced his decision to become the fourth member of the Gators’ already stellar 2014 recruiting class.

He chose Florida over Florida State and joins four-stars wide receiver Ryeshene Bronson (Fort Myers, FL), defensive tackle Travonte Valentine (Palm Bay, FL) and quarterback Will Grier (Davidson, NC) as prospects that have already decided to continue their football careers in Gainesville, FL.

Dawson, the cousin of Gators four-star 2013 DB pledge Marcell Harris (Orlando, FL), is the fourth member of the Rivals250 Watch List to commit to Florida. He is widely considered one of the best defensive backs in the 2014 class.

He told InsidetheGators.com‘s Blake Alderman on Monday ($) that the attention paid to him by the coaching staff and the ability to play early on in his career are what had him leaning towards the Gators.

“With Florida, I talk to them all the time. They have showed me love ever since the first time I went to their camp [over the summer], and they have five defensive backs leaving the year before I would come in so there’s opportunity,” he said.

Though his commitment is solid, Dawson will take recruiting visits as he still has a full year until he signs his National Letter of Intent.

Tags: Duke Dawson, Marcell Harris, Ryeshene Bronson, Travonte Valentine, Will Grier

Nearly done with their 2013 recruiting class, the Florida Gators received their second 2014 commitment on Sunday when defensive tackle Travonte Valentine (Palm Bay, FL) gave a verbal pledge to head coach Will Muschamp.

Valentine, despite previously being committed to Louisville and more recently having a top three of Alabama, Auburn and Florida according to Rivals’ Chris Nee, decommitted on July 15 and claimed five days later that Florida State was his new leader after spending three days on campus. He quickly changed that stance over the weekend after attending Friday Night Lights in Gainesville, FL.

“ITS OFFICIAL IM A GATOR I FEEL PROUD ABT IT TOOO #CHOMP CHOMP,” Valentine posted on Facebook though he had not yet spoken to Muschamp. Scout.com confirmed minutes later that he got in touch with Muschamp, who accepted his commitment.

Valentine is the second 2014 player to commit to the Gators; wide receiver Ryeshene Bronson (Fort Myers, FL) became the team’s first pledge on June 14. Both are expected to be at least four-star prospects when rankings are released.

He is the fourth high school football player commit to Florida in as many days following in the footsteps of 2013 five-star defensive back Vernon Hargreaves (Tampa, FL) on Thursday, three-star defensive end Antonio Riles (Lawrenceville, GA) on Friday and four-star defensive end Jordan Sherit (Tampa, FL) on Saturday.

Tags: Antonio Riles, Friday Night Lights, Jordan Sherit, Ryeshene Bronson, Travonte Valentine, Vernon Hargreaves, Will Muschamp

Wide receiver Ryeshene Bronson (Fort Myers, FL), a junior from Dunbar High School, has become the first member of the Florida Gators’ 2014 recruiting class after committing to the program on Thursday, according to Rivals.com‘s Michael Langston.

The cousin of Clemson WR Sammy Watkins, Bronson (6’3″ 182 lbs.) decided to commit to Florida early despite also having offers from Auburn, Florida State and South Carolina as well as interest from a number of other schools.

“I can play in any offense. As long as I can block and help the team do whatever to get to the national championship, I’m there,” he told Rivals ($) in May when asked to describe his game. “Basically, I stretch the field. I’m an all-around receiver, get a lot of yards after catch. I block. Mainly, I block. That’s the first thing that comes to my mind; then, get the ball. I’m always there for my team. I’ve never been selfish. I appreciate my line more than skill players. Without those linemen, we [are] nothing. I’m determined to go to the NFL one day. I want to support my mom and make my mom proud of me.”

Bronson only played in four games as a sophomore but caught 21 passes for 483 yards and five touchdowns in those appearances. He missed six contests due to injury.

Rivals’ Chris Nee evaluated Bronson last month ($) at the Rivals/VTO Sports Florida Elite 100 camp, where he was named the top underclassmen at the event:

Bronson’s ceiling is extremely high at the wide receiver spot. He didn’t blow the doors off during Sunday’s event but showed flashes of why people think he can be a special player in the 2014 class. He is a tall, lanky wide receiver at 6-foot-3, 175-pounds. He showed the ability to get off the line quickly and put defenders behind him when they pressed. He also has the ability to go up and win the ball in the air.

Tags: Ryeshene Bronson