Florida secures two in-state four-star recruits within hours. Landing a four-star commitment is a significant achievement in recruiting, and the Florida Gators were thrilled to welcome four-star 2026 cornerback Devin Jackson from Orlando.
Their success didn’t stop there. Shortly after, the Gators flipped one of the nation’s top safeties, 2025 four-star safety Demetres Samuel Jr. from Palm Bay, Florida. Samuel had been committed to Syracuse since late March, but a late-July visit to Gainesville swayed his decision.
“They’re always going to try to keep me home, so they are going to try to make everything feel good and make me feel like I’m at home here,” Samuel told Gators Online after his visit. “I feel good because Coach [Will] Harris and Coach Bey [Beyah Rasool] always are going to make me feel at home because it’s Florida. It definitely feels good.”
Jackson chose the Gators over Georgia, LSU, Texas, Missouri, UCF, and others, attributing his decision to the supportive Florida staff.
“They show a lot of love when I come up there and I’m wanted up there,” Jackson recently told On3. “I’m up there a lot of times, so I know the facilities too. It feels like home all around.”
According to 247 Sports, Samuel is ranked as the No. 23 safety in the country, while Jackson is the No. 27 safety in the 2026 class, per On3. Both recruits are from within 200 miles of Gainesville.
In-state recruiting is crucial, particularly in the highly competitive state of Florida. Securing these two recruits from their own backyard is a significant victory for the Gators.
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