Justus comes to Florida as DE Reed picks Gators

The Florida Gators received a commitment from a three-star 2014 prospect for the second-straight night as defensive end Justus Reed (Clearwater, FL) announced that he has decided to continue playing football in Gainesville, FL.

Reed, who can play on the line but is expected to first try his luck at Buck linebacker, broke the news via his Twitter account.

“I have OFFICIALLY committed to the University Of Florida!!!! I’ve dreamed of this day all my life, never been happier,” he wrote.

Reed (6-foot-5, 235-pounds) chose Florida over in-state rivals Florida State and Miami but also had offers from Louisville, Ohio State and nearly a dozen other schools.

He is rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals but is listed as a four-star player by ESPN, which has him ranked 262nd overall in the latest edition of the ESPN 300.

“It’s been my childhood dream to be a Gator,” he told BigCountyPreps.com shortly after committing to UF. “When Coach [Will] Muschamp extended the offer, it was only a matter of time ‘till I committed.”

The Gators offered Reed, considered “one of the most underrated prospects in the state” by InsidetheGators.com recruiting analyst Blake Alderman ($), in June when he took an unofficial visit to Florida.

“Coach [Brad] Lawing is a really good dude and I really liked him,” he said. “They liked my pass rush, said I have good feet and hands and they like what I do.”

Reed is UF’s 12th commitment for the 2014 recruiting cycle and seventh from the state of Florida but just the second pass rusher to pledge. Three-star DE Taven Bryan (Casper, WY) committed to Florida on June 10.

Check out the Gators’ updated 2014 recruiting class by clicking here.