Florida football recruiting: Gators expand 2022 class with LB Shemar James, WR Chandler Smith

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Florida Gators football hauled in two prized recruits Sunday night with four-star linebacker Shemar James (Mobile, AL) and three-star wide receiver Chandler Smith (Orlando, FL) committing to the program. The 2022 prospects both have extensive offer lists with James standing as one of the nation’s top recruits.

James (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) committed to Florida over Alabama following his official visit to UF this weekend. The No. 146 overall recruit in the 247Sports Composite, he is considered the 15th-best linebacker in the nation. “100% COMMITTED,” he tweeted.

Smith (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) is a speedy wideout who will also run track & field for Florida. He has state titles in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash as a junior. Smith also took an official visit to UF over the weekend, his second stop in Gainesville, Florida, after an unofficial visit at the start of the month. He holds offers from most SEC programs and recently took official visits to Arkansas and South Carolina despite being the No. 364 player in the nation.

“To all the coaches and staff at the University of Florida, thank you for making me feel at HOME,” he tweeted. “I’d like to officially announce that I’m 100% committed to playing football and running track at the University of Florida.”

The duo committing to the Gators boosted the program 11 spots in the 247Sports Composite team rankings, though Florida only slots at No. 21 at this time, ninth in the SEC and also behind in-state rival Florida State. However, many top 2022 prospects are uncommitted at this time as they were waiting for the NCAA to lift the dead period in order for on-campus visits to begin following the COVID-19 pandemic.

James is now the second-highest rated player in the Gators’ eight-member class. Check it out below.