Florida adds top prospect in commitment from four-star WR Justin Watkins

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Image Credit: Justin Watkins / Twitter

Adding its second-biggest pledge since head coach Dan Mullen took over the program, the Florida Gators locked up four-star wide receiver Justin Watkins (Clermont, FL) on Saturday.

Watkins (5-foot-11, 172 pounds), ranked No. 115 overall in the nation, is the 21st-rated wideout in the nation and No. 23 player in the state of Florida for 2018. He chose Florida over Alabama, LSU, Florida State, Texas, Clemson and others, giving Mullen his second top-tier pledge since he started leading the Gators program.

Tight ends coach Ja’Juan Seider was Watkins’ primary recruiter, and his commitment appeared to be a long time coming. He took official visits to LSU (Nov. 24, 2017) and Alabama (Dec. 1, 2017) recently but took just one day to commit to Florida afer beginning his official visit on Jan. 19.

Watkins is the third-highest ranked commit in the class behind quarterback Emory Jones (Franklin, GA) and offensive tackle Richard Gouraige (Tampa, FL), the latter of which has not signed a National Letter of Intent at this time.

Florida’s Class of 2018 is now ranked 15th nationally and fifth in the SEC, though there is still just about three weeks until National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 7.