Florida Gators add commitments from LB Lawson, S Neal to cap a remarkable Junior Day haul

One of the most eventful recruiting days in recent memory for the Florida Gators came to a close Saturday evening with two more commitments as linebacker Dillan Lawson (Crestview, FL) and four-star safety Keanu Neal (Bushnell, FL) announced their intentions to play in Gainesville, FL in the fall.

Both commitments, which came in the early evening after Florida had already received four other pledges during the day, brought the Gators’ total to six on their second Junior Day of the 2013 recruiting cycle.

Four-star running back Kelvin Taylor (Belle Glade, FL) was the first to announce his decision at 9 a.m. He was joined later in the day by four-star wide receiver Rodney Adams (St. Petersburg, FL), four-star linebacker Quinton Powell (Daytona Beach, FL) and four-star safety Nick Washington (Jacksonville, FL).

Lawson, a relative unknown in recruiting circles, is 6’4” and 215 lbs. and also claims offers from Florida State, Louisville and North Carolina. Though he can also put his hand down as a defensive end, it is likely that head coach Will Muschamp and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will try him out at the Buck linebacker position.

Neal, on the other hand, is a highly rated strong safety with enough size at 6’0” and 204 lbs. to move to linebacker. A member of the ESPNU 150 watch list, he chose to commit to Florida despite also having offers from Georgia Tech, South Carolina and South Florida and originally saying he did not plan to make a decision until after his senior season.

“I talked [defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson]. He has a defensive scheme that fits perfect for me,” Neal told ESPN.com. “He has it where the safety, which would be me, moves down in to the box and plays almost like a linebacker. I have done that in the past, so that fits perfectly for me. I can also drop back in pass coverage.”

The Gators’ last two commitments bring UF’s total to six on Saturday and 10 for the 2013 class. All 10 are from the state of Florida, eight are ranked in the initial Rivals250 and nine are candidates for the first ESPNU 150 of the recruiting cycle.

Among the Gators’ pledges are four linebackers, a defensive tackle, two safeties, two running backs and a wide receiver. Below are links to the commitment stories of the other eight players, six of whom announced their decisions Saturday.

Jan. 21: Four-star running back Adam Lane (Winter Haven, FL) – Story
Jan. 28: Four-star defensive tackle Caleb Brantley (Crescent City, FL) – Story
Feb. 2: Four-star linebacker Daniel McMillian (Jacksonville, FL) – Story
Feb. 2: Four-star linebacker James Hearns (Tallahassee, FL) – Story
Feb. 18: Four-star running back Kelvin Taylor (Belle Glade, FL) – Story
Feb. 18: Four-star wide receiver Rodney Adams (St. Petersburg, FL) – Story
Feb. 18: Four-star linebacker Quinton Powell (Daytona Beach, FL) – Story
Feb. 18: Four-star safety Nick Washington (Jacksonville, FL) – Story

Photo Credits: Rivals.com (five of six)