Florida football recruiting: Four-star CB Sharif Denson aids Gators’ momentum with commitment

Football

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Image Credit: Leslie White / UAA

The Florida Gators experienced a rough week on the recruiting trail when it came to some of the top prospects on their board, but they nevertheless improved their Class of 2023 significantly with three high-profile commitments in a seven-day span. The third of those came Monday night as four-star cornerback Sharif Denson (Jacksonville, FL) committed to the program.

Denson (6-foot, 170 pounds) pledged to Florida over Miami and Texas A&M. As the No. 206 player in the 247Sports Composite, he became the Gators’ second-highest ranked commitment overall and third top-300 player to pledge in the last week.

Along with four-stars EDGE Isaiah Nixon (St. Petersburg, FL) and defensive lineman Gavin Hill (Gainesville, FL), Denson was also the third top prospect within a 150-mile radius of the University of Florida to join the class. Eight of the Gators’ nine commitments are from the Sunshine State with three local products from Alachua County alone.

Denson’s pledge pushed Florida up six spots to No. 28 in the 247Sports Composite team rankings. Along with Nixon, Hill and three-star offensive lineman Tommy Kinsler (Ocala, FL), the addition of these prospects pushed the Gators up 22 spots in the rankings over the last 10 days.

Missing out on four-star quarterback Jaden Rashada (Pittsburg, CA) and seeing some of its top targets more strongly considering other programs certainly dealt a blow to Florida’s confidence in the last week, but those developments should not overshadow a strong set of commitments for the Gators.

Florida’s Class of 2023 is shaping up defensively with the program’s top remaining target, five-star CB Cormani McClain (Lakeland, FL), apparently still in favor of UF. However, the Gators are lacking difference-making commitments on the offensive end and recently saw four-star running backs Cedric Baxter Jr. (Orlando, FL) and Treyaun Webb (Jacksonville, FL) begin more heavily considering other options after being long-time UF leans.

With five-and-a-half months until the early signing period and Florida yet to play a single snap under new head coach Billy Napier, there is plenty of time for adjustments to be made and minds to be changed.