The Florida Gators picked up their 16th commitment for the Class of 2026 on Monday afternoon from a big instate target who the Gators have been after for over a year now.
Linebacker Malik Morris (6-1, 225, Lakeland, FL. High) committed to the Florida Gators over Miami and Texas A&M on Monday.
“For the next three to four years, I will be attending the University of Florida,” Morris said
Morris took an official visit to Gainesville back in June and he came out of that visit feeling comfortable with the Gators.
“The visit was amazing,” Morris told Gator Country. “Coming to this program, I already knew what was going on, I felt comfortable with it, and now it’s a bigger step to the next point of where we can go with this in the recruitment process.”
It was after that visit that Morris came out and named the Gators his leader, admitting it was a significant gap in his recruitment.
“They set the bar high. If you want to beat Florida, you have to come with it,” Morris said. “Just the people, the whole program, the way they treat me,” Morris added on why Florida is No.1 in his recruitment.
Billy Napier and the rest of the defensive coaching staff explained to Morris during that visit just how he would fit into the defense.
“Mike linebacker,” Morris said on where he fits within Florida’s defense. “Coach Napier likes to play his freshmen. So that’s a good opportunity for me right there.”
Morris is the first linebacker to commit in the class as the Gators are hoping to add at least one more in the class, and they’re in good shape for linebacker DQ Forkpa, who announces later this week.
Florida will also continue to pursue Ole Miss linebacker commit Izayia Williams, who has had many twists and turns in his recruitment already.