Gator Country

James Hearns said Florida was not willing to risk waiting on him to try to qualify academically. Prospects have to maintain GPA and a test score on a sliding scale to make it through the NCAA Clearinghouse. / Gator Country photo by Mike Capshaw

With signing day less than two weeks away, the final touches are being put on Florida’s 2013 class with not only new commitments, but with decommitments as well

On Thursday, Florida suffered a hit to its class when Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln linebacker James Hearns told Florida coaches that he will not be a part of the class.

“I’m in the process of qualifying for them (academically) and they didn’t wanna wait,” Hearns said.

Hearns will no longer take his scheduled visit to Florida next weekend.

It is believed that Auburn is in the driver’s seat to land Hearns at this time.

The loss of Hearns still leaves UF with four incoming linebackers, with three — Alex Anzalone, Matt Rolin and Daniel McMillian — already enrolled. The fourth, Jarrad Davis, recently decommited from Auburn and is expected to enroll at Florida in the summer.

The Gators may now look to add former linebacker commitment Quinton Powell of Dayton Beach (Fla.) Mainland to close out their linebacker recruiting.

Gator Country reporter Andrew Spivey contributed to this report.

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