Commitment season is in full swing this summer, and more Florida Top 100 players continue to come off the board.
In this week’s Extra Points, we’re taking a look at which of Florida’s elite players have made their verbal commitments.
Kaden Henderson, Tampa Jesuit LB
USA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 4
Verbal commitment: Texas A&M
Henderson is one of the most coveted defensive players in the country, and the race came down to the Aggies and Notre Dame after Miami backed off his recruitment. The composite 5-star joins a class with the most Florida talent in recent memory, including OT Mark Matthews ( No. 1) and EDGE Zyron Forstall (No. 2).
Julius Jones Jr., St. Thomas Aquinas WR
USA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 8
Verbal commitment: Notre Dame
Another big time commitment from the Irish in Florida, Jones named Notre Dame over Oregon. His father, Julius, had a storied career at Notre Dame as a tailback before playing in the NFL for seven years.
Amarri Irvin, IMG Academy LB
USA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 22
Verbal commitment: Virginia Tech
James Franklin is still James Franklin, and he got one of the state’s best linebackers to back off his long-time Notre Dame pledge and flip to the Hokies. Irvin is now one of the highest-rated commits in this Virginia Tech class, and the second from Florida for Franklin.
Tyler Alexander, Palm Beach Central DL
USA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 47
Verbal commitment: Texas
Texas’ first pledge from a Sunshine State product was a statement, landing Alexander over Georgia, Auburn, and Notre Dame. The Longhorns did very well in Florida last cycle, and could have another top-heavy class by December.
Jamar Thompson, West Boca Raton DL
USA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 24
Verbal commitment: Georgia Tech
Thompson is one of Georgia Tech’s highest-rated recruits from Florida in recent history. The No. 2 DL in the state was being pursued by the likes of Miami, Alabama, and Auburn — but instead named the Yellowjackets.
Desmond Malpress, Atlantic Coast EDGE
USA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 29
Verbal commitment: Clemson
Clemson has plucked of Florida’s elite players so far this cycle. First came 5-star wideout Jamarin Simmons, then Malpress. The 6-foot-4 pass rusher also took a visit to South Carolina, but named the Tigers shortly after his official visit.
Tumarian Moreland, Palm Beach Lakes ATH
USA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 43
Verbal commitment: Virgina Tech
Another key win for Franklin in his first year at Virginia Tech, Moreland named the Hokies over some big SEC programs like Florida, Auburn, and Georgia.
Jason Lewis, Osceola DL
USA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 61
Verbal commitment: Syracuse
Lewis’ recruitment exploded this spring, but the Orange were earlier than most to Lewis (like most other players) and landed a commitment over Florida State and Kentucky.
Brooklyn Maxey, Carrollwood Day ATH
USA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 74
Verbal commitment: Kansas State
Maxey, a dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball, originally pledged to Louisville. He flipped his commitment to Kansas State just a few days after his official visit in Manhattan.
Brian Dillard, The First Academy ATH
USA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 75
Verbal commitment: USF
Another big catch for Brian Hartline & Co, Dillard is the second Top 100 in-state player to commit to the Bulls. Dillard named USF over Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland and others.
Kevin Verpaele, Merrit Island QB
USA TODAY Florida Top 100 rank: No. 70
Verbal commitment: Verpaele was a statement flip for USF, who got the gunslinger to back off his long-held Pitt commitment after an official visit.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Commitment season in full swing for in-state recruits
Reporting by Nick Wilson, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Nick Wilson, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
