Gators’ DB commit Jaelen Waters remains locked in after Florida’s win over LSU

The Gators hosted several top targets this weekend during Florida’s first ranked win of the season against LSU. Florida’s lone 2026 cornerback commit Jaelen Waters was back on campus for the entire weekend and was impressed with Florida’s defensive performance against one of the top ranked passing offenses in the country.

“It hit my recruitment very hard,” Waters said. “The win was good; we beat LSU and I feel good about it.”

The atmosphere in The Swamp on Saturday was louder than it’s been in a very long time, and that couldn’t go unnoticed by any recruit.

“It was good, and it was very loud. A lot of touchdowns and turnovers, it was a good experience. It was top five for sure,” Waters said on how loud The Swamp was.

Gators’ defensive back Trikweze Bridges has impressed many during his last couple performances, especially Jaelen Waters.

“Number seven played really good, Bridges played really good. That’s what really stood out to me,” Waters said.

Florida’s win over LSU wasn’t expected by many and winning soundly at the University of Florida will always have a lasting impact on recruiting. Waters is still locked in with the Gators and that hasn’t changed.

“This hit my recruitment really hard, just because of the way they have been playing. This just hit my recruitment hard. I’m still 100 percent committed to Florida, 100 percent still committed,” Waters said.

Florida’s 2026 class consists of only QB Will Griffin, CB Jaelen Waters and S Devin Jackson with the primary focus being the revival of the 2025 cycle in the month of November. With a ranked win over LSU after Florida’s announcement to keep head coach Billy Napier for the foreseeable future, don’t be surprised if the Gators catch fire in both recruiting classes as we approach the end of the year.
Gentry Hawk
Gentry Hawk is a student at the University of Florida studying sports journalism. He is a writer and reporter for GatorCountry. You can find most of his work on Twitter @gentryhawkgc, or right here on Gator country.