Jim McElwain wins his first major recruiting battle for the Gators.
Every year in the Sunshine State there are some premier battles along the recruiting trail among the big three. This year, Florida, Florida State and Miami are all competed for the signature of Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas running back Jordan Scarlett.
On Monday, Florida won the battle as Scarlett selected the Gators over the Seminoles and Hurricanes.
Scarlett was once committed to FAU early in the cycle after a former high school coach, Roger Harriott, was hired as the university's running backs coach, though the move was viewed by recruiting experts as one to draw attention to FAU as a favor to his former coach. The commitment lasted several months before Scarlett committed to the Miami Hurricanes over the summer.
The 5'11, 205 pound running back cited Miami's proximity to home and academics as reasons for picking the Hurricanes, but he maintained he would take visits to see other schools. He saw Florida Jan. 23 and Florida State Jan. 30, decommitting during his official visit on the Seminoles' campus.
Florida has an attractive depth chart and his girlfriend reportedly attending the school.
Florida is getting a back with good size and tremendous straight-line speed. Scarlett does have a tendency to bounce the ball to the outside too quickly, and could improve his vision and moves, but he's clearly one of the better backs in the country.