Three-star DE Jabari Zuniga commits to Florida

By Adam Silverstein
January 26, 2015

Two weeks after visiting the Florida Gators, rising three-star defensive end Jabari Zuniga (Marietta, GA) decided to commit to the program and become the 10th member of its 2015 recruiting class.

A NC State pledge who was also evaluating an offer from Arkansas, Zuniga was recruited by Florida defensive coordinator Geoff Collins, who after taking over the Gators’ defense made the player a primary target.

Zuniga (6-foot-3, 255 pounds), who only played varsity high school football for two years, is a long and strong lineman who can play both inside and out but is expected to be an edge rusher for Florida. Zuniga has plenty of room for growth and development, and local writers have singled him out as an underrated prospect out of the state of Georgia.

He is the second 2015 recruit to commit to the Gators in as many days. Florida now has 10 players pledged to sign with the program, all of which are rated as three-star recruits.

Zuniga’s decision was first reported by InsidetheGators.com‘s Blake Alderman.

14 Comments

  1. Ks Gator says:

    Yes sir!!! Great news. Go get em coach

  2. John De Piero says:

    Great job coaches. Go GATORS

  3. Ken (CA) says:

    If the big names do come, they won’t say until NSD anyway. Getting on a nice roll now may help their decision as they see other kids deciding that there really is something exciting about this staff. Maybe not the elites, but sound like great character kids who really want to be Gators so far, and that kind of drive can be as motivating as great talent.

    That being said, these coaches do have big time experience and I know how thin we are in some areas, so they can come in and contribute immediately, but how effective can they be? likely half the kids in the class so far would redshirt as they get bigger, build technique, get used to the faster play, etc., and I wonder how effective they will be if thrown to the wolves so quickly.

    I am loving the excitement that they are generating and getting kids that seem truly excited to be Gators, but this isn’t CSU, we don’t need to “settle” for 3 stars or less. and yes, I know rankings aren’t everything which is why I said the positives before even mentioning this and believe they will be enthusiastic and potentially solid contributors, and I know we are late on the recruiting trail and getting excited kids with lots of space in the class helps build the steam and turn some heads, certainly, but this isn’t CSU, this is fabulous recruiting for a school like that, right now, I hope these are just momentum builders to turn some of the guys heads that we (as fans) really want to see wearing the Orange and Blue that may need more convincing at this point that they wouldn’t be wasting their time coming here because we are in the dumper.

    I bet we don’t end up with a full class but we will get 20+ before all is said and done and I think there are going to be some significant surprises before all is said and done, but I have no reason to believe that other than the only negative I keep hearing is “no relationship with new staff” and all the positive high energy high expectation coaches, that seem to be great folks, etc. I know how tough it will be to catch up in relationships, but hopefully they seem to making good first impressions and maybe some will take a chance as they see all the positive energy right now

    • g8ter27 says:

      I am hopeful for some 5 stars on NSD. O the other hand, Marcus Mariota was a 3 star and he turned out to be pretty good.

      • Ken (CA) says:

        True, but 1 anecdotal case doesn’t mean much for the hundreds in the same time period that never even saw playing time on a major conference team.

  4. Dustin Hilyard says:

    247 bumped him to a 4 star after watching more of his film

  5. Cameron Hagood says:

    His high school class must be playing a major role in his overall ranking because this guy is a man among boys I don’t know much about the school he attends but does anyone know what class it is?

    • Ken (CA) says:

      haha literally, he seems like he is playing against a mighty-mite league. about 6 inches taller than everyone else on the field!

  6. Brandon says:

    This kid is a monster! Appears to be a steal for UF

  7. ATL Troy says:

    His school is in the second highest class in the state(5A), but the region that they play in is a little weak and and kinda bloated with 14 teams split into two divisions.

  8. lee says:

    I love the fact that after each highlight he just gets up and goes back to the huddle with no “look at me”. Even after the first TD clip, just sets it down. reminds me of VH3

  9. Greg says:

    Impressive tape. I was also curious as to how good the level of competition is? Regardless, the kid can play. Also, he already has good size. The 3* doesn’t bother me a bit. If you go back through and look through Urban’s recruiting classes there were a lot of players that were in the 3-4* range that panned out really well and contributed a lot.

  10. gator says:

    wow, this kid has great hands no one gets past him. bet he could make muschumps eyes pop all the way out of his skull with one squeeze. looks like a great pick up

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