The Florida Gators hosted 26 prospects during their final recruiting weekend of the summer on Saturday. Florida’s annual “Grill in the Ville” event included both 2026 and 2025 prospects with this staff looking to build on those relationships before the dead period.
Four-star safety and Syracuse commit Demetres Samuel Jr. out of Heritage High School spoke with Gator Country over the weekend to discuss his visit and current recruiting process.
“Coming back to Florida is always going to be fun, it’s a family tradition. Seeing coach Will Harris is always going to be a good time,” Samuel said on his visit to Florida. “I got to meet some new people, some new recruits and some new commits and stuff. So it was good being able to connect with other people and coaches.”
The relationship’s that have been built are something that has kept the Gators in the running throughout Samuel’s commitment to Syracuse. This staff and Coach Harris are working hard to flip the in-state prospect before it’s too late.
“They are always going to try and keep me home and make everything feel good and feel like home,” Samuel said. “They will take me right now and will take me anytime. They just want to make it extra special to stay home.”
It won’t be long before we see the Palm Bay native listed as a 2025 prospect. The Top-10 safety in the Class of 2026 is ready to reclassify and get developed at the next level after the conclusion of his next season.
“It was just a decision between me, my parents and my coaches,” Samuel said on his decision to reclassify. “I thought it was a good decision, I love high school and all but I felt it was time to move on.”
With Samuel currently committed to Syracuse, there aren’t many other school’s the four-star safety has in mind other than two familiar hometown teams.
“Florida, UCF and obviously Syracuse. I’d probably say that’s about it,” Samuel said on what other teams he has interest in. “Florida and UCF are probably 50/50.”
Samuel grew up watching the Gators as his cousin is former Gators’ safety Marcus Maye.
“Obviously the coaching staff, you know, it’s just like Florida,” Samuel said on what would make him choose Florida. “I have Family here and it’s like DNA. I grew up on Florida so why not.”
The Top-100 prospect has no set time on when he wants to officially shut down his recruitment, but Syracuse, Florida and UCF are the front runners for landing the talented safety as of right now. The 6-0, 190-pound defensive back committed to Syracuse back in March of this year.