Four-star WR commit Ermon Lane ditches Florida

Losing and gaining commitments on a daily basis, the Florida Gators got news Friday night that another top-flight offensive playmaker has left the program as four-star wide receiver Ermon Lane (Homestead, FL) officially decommitted.

“No Hard Feelings But I Just Decommitted From The University Of Florida . Not Because Dalvin Cook. No lie I love gator nation. #OneLove,” he wrote on his Twitter account. “I love the gators fans but I have to do what’s best for me.”

Lane, the 44th-ranked prospect nationally and the fourth South Florida player to decommit from Florida since Dec. 25, 2013, originally pledged to join the Gators on Aug. 12, 2013, the same day as four-star defensive backs Quincy Wilson (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and Chris Lammons (Plantation, FL).

Only Wilson remains committed to Florida; he has been one of UF’s strongest pledges.

Lammons decommitted on Thursday, following in the footsteps of four-star running back Dalvin Cook (Miami, FL) and 2015 four-star WR Da’Vante Phillips (Miami, FL).

Lane’s decision is not much of a shocker. He was seen wearing Florida State gear months ago and has long been rumored to flip to the Seminoles just like Cook did on Dec. 31, 2013. Lane has also been saying for a while that he plans to make a commitment on National Signing Day on Feb. 5 despite remaining committed.

The Gators are now back down to 20 commitments for the 2014 recruiting cycle after a whirlwind week. Florida added two highly-rated prospects over the last two days, both of which will enroll early for the spring semester.

On Thursday, UF flipped five-star cornerback Jalen Tabor (Washington, D.C.) from Arizona; Lammons decommitted hours later.

Four-star RB Brandon Powell (Deerfield Beach, FL), whose playmaking ability helps but does not completely negate the loss of Cook, was committed to Miami but instead drove up and enrolled at Florida on Friday.

The Gators only have three-star Ryan Sousa (Orlando, FL) committed at wideout but list three much-needed tight end pledges including four-star Moral Stephens (Perry, FL) and three-stars DeAndre Goolsby (Derby, KS) and C’yontai Lewis (Tuscaloosa, AL).

Florida is still hoping to add another running back and perhaps up to two more wide receivers to its 2014 recruiting class.