Commitment Breakdown: Rivals100 LB Shemar James to Florida
The big day along the recruiting trail for the Florida Gators got bigger Wednesday night with the addition of five-star linebacker Shemar James. James becomes the third high-profile recruit signed today for the Gators, the first five-star to commit to Florida under new head coach Billy Napier.
WHAT THE GATORS ARE GETTING
James is athletic as they get. Pulling double duty for his Faith Academy squad, he also lined up at receiver helping his team into the Alabama 5A playoffs with action at quarterback during his high school career in the Wildcat. With James heading to Gainesville, the Gators have a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker that is versatile all around the box.
WHAT MAKES SHEMAR JAMES DIFFERENT
James is instinctive and smart with a nose for the ball. Reading plays keeping his feet active, his long arms help shed blocks to fill the holes going against the run. Blitzing up the middle, James is fast with a burst flying past offensive linemen before they have a chance to get set. On passing downs, his offensive talents show covering tight ends and backs out of the backfield. He’s just a do-it-all linebacker.
WHY THIS IS BIG FOR FLORIDA
The last few years the SEC has become more about lighting up the scoreboard than the traditional dominating defenses in years’ past but stops in meaningful games are needed. The Gators have consistently recruited at a high level on defense and are doing so again with the 2022 class. James in the mix sends a signal to other recruits about coach Napier and Co. and brings a ray of hope to the loyal fans about things to come.
Pulling the top-rated linebacker in this go around is an impressive feat for Florida, especially with James being an Alabama native. Georgia and Alabama were reportedly in the mix down to the wire but James’ love for the Florida program brought him back into the mix after committing on June 20 and then backing off his pledge on Oct. 20.
The Gators’ coaching staff caught attention earlier in the day landing four-star defensive backs Kamari Wilson out of IMG Academy and Devin Moore from Naples.