The Florida Gators coaching staff received some good news on Thanksgiving Day as they were able to hold onto one of their commitments.
Linebacker Chief Borders (6-3, 230, Carrollton, GA. Heard County) announced he was staying with the Florida Gators on Thursday instead of flipping to Stanford.
“The communication with the coaches, Coach [Dan] Mullen has been knowing me since I was young,” Borders said on why he decided to stick with. “It just all followed through, we kept that relationship going from Mississippi State to Florida.”
Borders who is not only a good football player but has admirations to become doctor said this decision was tough because of his acceptance into Stanford.
“When you get accepted and admitted into Stanford, you have to consider it,” he said on how close the decision was. “It was my dream school, it was real close between them and due to the fact that I was never able to see Stanford’s campus or have a face to face vibe, that had a big effect.”
One thing that helped the Gators was the fact that an education from Florida is highly regarded, plus the chance to win in football.
“Florida is ranked number six in public colleges, they moved up this year,” Borders said on Florida’s education. “Everything just fell in line with the coaching staff and the education I’m getting at Florida and the mentors I have at Florida.”
The Gators coaching staff has talked to Borders about where he will play at once he arrives in Gainesville.
“Probably everywhere, outside linebacker and the JACK position,” he said on where Florida sees him playing. “I know Coach [Todd] Grantham is probably going to fight over me at the BUCK position and then also on offense, coach is going to put in a few packages for me.”
Last month, the Gators gave Borders an early present by beating his home state Georgia Bulldogs in a game that gave the linebacker some bragging rights.
“Definitely, real special,” Borders said on Florida winning the Georgia game. “All my teachers were rooting for Georgia, I made a few bets with my teachers, they have to go shopping on Amazon so we can take a picture.”
Next up for Borders is to finish the high school playoffs and then he will set his sights on enrolling at Florida.
“I’m early enrolling,” he said. “I’ll be there in January.”