Yale transfer QB Aidan Warner committed to Florida Monday evening. He’ll join the Gators as a preferred walk on with four years of eligibility remaining after redshirting in his only season with the Bulldogs. Warner did not appear in a game during his freshmen season.
“I grew up a Gator fan. Both my parents are Gators and my brother is a junior here,” Warner said on why he committed to UF. “I grew up coming to games and I have always loved the atmosphere. Gainesville is super familiar to me so when I got the opportunity to it was a no brainer.”
The Winter Park, Florida native was a three star recruit out of high school, holding offers from Yale, Coastal Carolina, Brown, Arkansas State, and Connecticut. During his senior season at Winter Park High School, Warner earned an All-Metro selection after completing 63% of his passing attempts for 29 TDs to go along with 6 interceptions.
Gators’ quarterback coach Ryan O’Hara played a big factor in Warner’s recruitment.
“Coach O’Hara and I have developed a great relationship over the past weeks. I am super excited to learn from him. I haven’t spoken much to Graham or DJ but I have heard nothing but good things about them and I am excited to get in the room with them,” Warner said.
Warner joins a QB room that consists of senior Graham Mertz and true freshmen DJ Lagway, potentially opening the door for a third string spot on the depth chart.
“I wouldn’t say playing time was a worry of mine,” Warner said on whether a chance at playing time played a factor in his recruitment. “I have a huge opportunity to learn from Graham and really good QB coach in Coach O’Hara while also competing with DJ every day. I see it more as a developmental year where I can learn from some of the best and perfect my craft.”
The 6’3, 195-pound QB is excited to learn from Mertz.
“I think Graham is a great leader and field general. Everyone on the team respects him as a leader and he knows the game inside and out. I think I can learn from just about every part of his game, especially his leadership skills,” Warner said on what he can take away from Mertz’ game.
Warner is in Gainesville and enrolled at the University of Florida for the spring semester.