Florida received another Class of 2024 engagement Saturday when four-star linebacker Adarius Hayes of Largo, Fla., pledged his services to the varsity.
Hayes was in town for Florida’s last junior day of the January recruiting period and announced his decision before leaving the swamp. According to Swamp247, he was also in town last weekend to report to the program. Hayes told Gators Online that he always wanted to be a gator and came to visit on Saturday because he knew he would be attending the class.
“That was the plan all along. I am blessed to be a gator. Go Gators,” Hayes said. “I’ll just be a MIKE. They said I’ll just be a middle linebacker and more likely to come off the edge in third place. Basically I would be like Amari Burney/Ventrell Miller.”
Hayes shadowed linebackers Shemar James and Derek Wingo on that trip, and the duo did their best to catch him. Notre Dame, State of Ohio and others.
This is the second blue-chip linebacker Florida has caught from the 2024 class. Myles Graham, who is ranked 30th on the 247Sports composite and 36th on the On3 consensus, chose Florida in August and appears to be locked in as a legacy commit.
Hayes is the nation’s 61st overall recruit, according to the 247Sports Composite. He is also the No. 7 edge rusher in the class and the No. 12 prep player from the Sunshine State. On3 is even more optimistic, which ranks Hayes 55th overall on the consensus rankings and 33rd on the site’s independent list.
Florida now has four players signed to the class. In addition to Hayes and Graham, UF also has five-star quarterback DJ Lagway and four-star running back Chauncey Bowens on board. The Gators jumped to #3 on the On3 consensus football team’s 2024 recruit rankings and #8 on the 247Sports equivalents list.
list
Immediate reactions to Florida’s blowout loss at the Kansas State Wildcats
list
Social media is reacting to Keyontae Johnson facing his former team
list
Pat Dooley’s Quick Reactions to Florida’s Decisive Victory over South Carolina
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Share your thoughts with us and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!
Story originally appeared on Gators Wire