WR Phillips becomes Gators’ first 2015 commit

Though the Florida Gators have already made a great start on their 2016 recruiting class with a pair of talented prospects in the fold, head coach Will Muschamp had not yet secured a 2015 player when his program’s annual recruiting showcase, Friday Night Lights, began on Friday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL.

That was no longer the case by the time the night was over as wide receiver Da’Vante Phillips (Miami, FL) decided make a verbal commitment to the Gators.

Phillips (6-foot-1, 189-pounds) had long been considering committing to Florida and received plenty of help along the way from a current pledge. His Miami Central High School teammate, 2014 four-star running back Dalvin Cook (Miami, FL), has been in his ear constantly trying to convince Phillips to join him in college.

“[Cook] has always told me that he wants me to be a Gator, but he knew it was my decision,” Phillips told InsidetheGators.com‘s Blake Alderman ($). “He never pressured me. He would talk to me about Florida everyday. I am with him most of the time and he always talked about them.”

Cook, ranked 24th in the nation by Rivals, is the Gators’ highest ranked commitment.

Phillips, who chose Florida over offers from Alabama, Florida State, Miami and Tennessee (among others), will likely be rated as a four-star prospect when Rivals‘ first 2015 rankings are officially released. ESPN already has him ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 11 overall player in the class of 2015 (No. 1 pass catcher).

It is the third-straight recruiting cycle that the Gators’ first commitment has been from a wide receiver. Four-star Ryeshene Bronson (Fort Myers, FL) joined Florida’s 2014 recruiting class on June 14, 2012, but parted ways with UF on May 21. On June 20, the Gators locked up Tyler Byrd (Naples, FL) as the first member of their 2016 class.

Phillips is Florida’s fourth pledge in the last three days.

2014 three-star offensive/defensive tackle Dontae Angus (Philadelphia, PA) committed Wednesday night, 2014 defensive end Justus Reed (Clearwater, FL) made his intentions known on Thursday, and cornerback Tre Jackson became the second member of UF’s 2016 class earlier on Friday.

Check out the Gators’ updated 2014-16 recruiting classes by clicking here.