Florida football recruiting: Five-star CB Jason Marshall commits to Gators

Football

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Image Credit: GatorsFB / Twitter

The Florida Gators received some massive news Sunday night when five-star cornerback Jason Marshall (Miami, FL) committed to the program. Marshall, the No. 29 player in the nation, was one of the Gators’ top targets in the Class of 2021.

“I will be committing to the University of Florida,” Marshall tweeted in a graphic.

Marshall (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) chose Florida primarily over Miami but also out of a significant offer sheet that includes Alabama, LSU and Oregon.

UF has put significant effort into recruiting a number of star players in the Class of 2021 out of Palmetto High School in Miami. The Gators were disappointed to lose one of their top targets last week but have now reeled in Marshall — a bit of a surprise to most insiders, who expected him to commit to the Hurricanes — with an opportunity to double up on Monday when four-star safety Corey Collier (Miami, FL) announces his decision.

Marshall’s commitment rockets Florida up to No. 9 from No. 12 in the 247Sports Composite team rankings, one spot behind Miami. A commitment from Collier on Monday would push the Gators up to No. 6 nationally.

Though college football is in uncertain times at this juncture, Marshall and Collier are the type of players who would likely get immediate playing time in fall 2021. Marshall — an athletic player with length and strength — would have an opportunity to start as a true freshman.

Marshall is Florida’s first five-star commitment this cycle and the 22nd underclassman (10 four-stars, 11 three-stars) to join the class. The Gators are also counting a pair of former commitments now in junior college — linebacker Diwun Black and guard Deyavie Hammond — as part of their class, giving UF 24 overall for this cycle. Black is ranked as the No. 1 overall JUCO player in the nation, per 247Sports.