Image Credit: Lorenzo Vasquez, UAA
The Florida Gators’ recruiting surge behind first-year head coach Jon Sumrall continued unabated Friday as four-star linebacker Ja’Bios Smith (Swainsboro, GA) committed to the program. He is the first player at his position to join UF’s impressive Class of 2027.
Smith (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) is ranked No. 142 nationally in the 247Sports Composite. He committed to Florida over a list of finalists that included Texas, Texas A&M and South Carolina.
Some believe Smith was the top target on the Gators’ board at his position, as linebackers coach Greg Gasparato put a concerted effort into securing his pledge, which is the 17th in a class on the verge of being one of the best inaugural efforts for a coach in program history.
Florida, which was previously as high as No. 4 in the 247Sports team rankings, moves back into the No. 5 spot with the addition of Smith. The top four are presently Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Miami (FL).
CommitPos.Rating
Maxwell Hiller (4)OT
Elijah Hutcheson (85)OT
Elias Pearl (90)WR
Tramond Collins (112)WR
Amare Nugent (117)CB
Peyton Miller (124)C
Andrew Beard (154)RB
David Davidson (220)QB
Anthony Jennings (273)WR
Jackson BallingerTE
Tommy DouglasTE
Anthony FountainCB
De’Voun KendrickDL
S.B. Keumajou YonduiDL
Cain Van NordenDL
Kailib DillardDB