Showers is headed to the SEC

Madison Heights (Mich.) Madison athlete Valdez Showers knew he wanted to make his college selection before the start of his senior season and with just four days left before the Eagles kick off their 2010 campaign, the 6-0, 185-pound prospect made the call.

"His decision was to verbally commit to the University of Florida," Madison assistant coach Chanterious Brock reported. "He called Coach [Urban] Meyer today and informed them guys. He said Coach Meyer was very excited and inquired about trying to get him down there early."

Showers will not be able to enroll at Florida early, but he will sign with the Gators in February. This decision was one he has been leaning strongly towards for the past several weeks.

"He kind of felt like he had the decision made up a little while ago, but he just wanted to make sure he was really sure about everything," Coach Brock said. "Not to mention, he does have a good relationship with the other finalists on his list and he didn't want to disappoint anyone."

The six finalists were announced by Showers at the Sound Mind, Sound Body Media Day in Detroit on Aug. 4. They included Auburn, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State and Northwestern.

"Michigan and Michigan State were part of the final three. The other ones were Auburn, Iowa and Northwestern," Brock confirmed.

Florida is recruiting Showers as a cornerback. He played cornerback and running back for Madison High as a junior, rushing for over 1,500 yards and scoring 20 touchdowns on offense. Brock feels Showers has found a good fit for his skills at Florida and will find a home in Gainesville.

"First of all, as far as Coach Meyer, I am a big admirer of his, personally. I like how he runs his program," Brock said. "I had a chance to sit in on a clinic of his and he had me ready to play football, so I know he's a master motivator.

"The program speaks for itself. They are always going to be playing at the highest level of college football and they come with a great reputation of teaching and developing athletes. As a coach I definitely feel like any of the last three schools he had to pick from he couldn't go wrong, but I'm happy that the kid is able to choose a school he feels is a good fit and has a chance to secure his future."

Showers picked up his offer from Florida after attending one of the Gators' summer camps in June. That trip also gave him and his mother a chance to see the Gainesville campus.

"Me knowing Valdez, he relishes a challenge and I think that situation is what drew him to [Florida]," Coach Brock said. "I know he expressed that he liked the school itself, the academics and the coaching staff. He had a real good feel for them, and they treated him well when he came down there on his unofficial visit. They had a great time and his mom loved it, so I think it was pretty much the total fit."

Rivals.con ranks Showers as the nation's No. 36 cornerback prospect and the No. 8 player in the state of Florida. Besides his on-field abilities, Showers is also accomplished in the classroom where he carries a 3.5 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society.