Florida college football recruiting: National Signing Day 2022 updates, class rankings

By Adam Silverstein
February 2, 2022
Florida college football recruiting: National Signing Day 2022 updates, class rankings
Football

National Signing Day is in the books, and it was not a banner recruiting holiday for the Florida Gators. While head coach Billy Napier did put together a strong transitional Class of 2022, the program’s hopes to extend its talent level with some big-name signees on Wednesday fell significantly short of expectation.

While there were five prospects worth following on signing day, Florida was only actually in the hunt for three players that it expected to land. Of those names, which included top-tier talents at running back and linebacker, the Gators only received a commitment from the lowest-rated prospect on their board.

  • 10:30 a.m. – Caden Story, four-star DL – Committed to Clemson
  • 12 p.m. – TreVonte’ Citizen, four-star RB – Committed to Miami
  • 2:15 p.m. – Caleb Douglas, three-star WR – Committed to Florida
  • 4:30 p.m. – Harold Perkins, five-star LB – Committed to LSU
  • 7 p.m. – Jacoby Mathews, four-star S – Committed to Texas A&M

Florida, which entered signing day ranked 19th nationally in the 247Sports Composite team rankings, ended the recruiting marathon in the exact same spot. It’s no doubt a massive gain from the low ranking of 79th the Gators found themselves in early during Napier’s tenure. However, it can also be considered a disappointment considering the strong close Napier & Co. delivered during the early signing period created high expectations for Florida’s contention with the top remaining prospects in February.

There is still some chance for upward movement, however. UF is believed to be the front-runner for three-star athlete Arlis Boardingham (Van Nuys, CA), who is expected to announce his decision in the next few days. Boardingham jumping … on board would push the Gators up three spots to 16th in the rankings.

Putting this class in context, Napier & Co. did a solid job saving a recruiting cycle that had seen Florida slide into total irrelevancy under ex-coach Dan Mullen. While finishing outside the top two tiers of signing classes is not ideal, the Gators nevertheless proved they are a team that is going to battle on the trail again in 2023 and beyond.

Napier on Wednesday said Florida will return its focus to recruiting inside the Sunshine State. He also noted that further roster management is expected through the spring before the team convenes for summer camp.

OnlyGators.com was with you all day updating every signed National Letter of Intent (NLI) and new commitment for the Gators while reporting all of the breaking news in between.

Take a look at the live updates below and scroll to see the entire Class of 2022.

* Indicates commitment’s National Letter of Intent has been received by Florida.

CommitPos.Rating
Kamari Wilson (43)
DB*
Shemar James (66)
LB*
Chris McClellan (112)
DL*
Trevor Etienne (186)
RB*
Devin Moore (263)
DB*
Tony Livingston
TE*
Jamari Lyons
DL*
Arlis Boardingham
ATH
Jack Pyburn
EDGE*
Caleb Douglas
WR*
Andrew Savailinaea
DL*
Jalen Farmer
OL*
Miguel Mitchell
ATH*
David Conner
OL*
Christian Williams
OL*
Max Brown
QB*
Hayden Hasnen
TE*
Trey Smack
K*

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