Florida football recruiting: Four-star EDGE Isaiah Nixon commits to Gators, spurning UCF

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As head coach Billy Napier continues to build his first full recruiting class since taking over the Florida Gators, he added his biggest piece yet on Tuesday as four-star defensive end Isaiah Nixon (St. Petersburg, FL) verbally committed to the program. In doing so, Nixon becomes the highest-rated prospect thus far in the program’s Class of 2023.

A UCF pledge since April, Nixon (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) backed off on his commitment on Monday just days after taking an official visit to Florida. Though he was a member of the Knights’ class, Nixon had been receiving interest from many other top programs across the SEC and beyond.

The No. 194 prospect in the nation, per to the 247Sports Composite, Nixon now stands atop the Gators’ class. However, the EDGE rusher is only rated as a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports’ internal rankings.

Nevertheless, he’s a talented defender at a position of need, and the Lakewood High School standout continues to prove that Florida is making inroads at recruiting in the state. He is the first prospect the Gators have secured from that school in a decade (Dante Fowler, 2012) and the program’s sixth of seven commitments from the Sunshine State.

His commitment boosted Florida five spots to 39th in the 247Sports Composite team rankings, though the program still has a ways to go as it aims to catch up with its brethren both in the SEC and nearby.

While the Gators have a number of lines out, there may be none bigger at this time than the one trying to catch four-star quarterback Jaden Rashada (Pittsburg, CA). Originally set to announce his commitment last week, the 45th-ranked player in the nation and No. 7 overall signal caller delayed his decision until June 26.

Florida and Texas A&M were though to be Rashada’s finalists with many believing the Gators would land his pledge; however, LSU and Ole Miss remain in the mix with Miami coming on late. The Hurricanes have secured an official visit out of nowhere, and at least some believe their sudden candidacy is indicative of a change in Rashada’s plans.