Florida’s strong summer on the recruiting trail continues after landing one of the top linebackers in the Sunshine State.
Malik Morris announced his commitment to the Gators on July 7, choosing Billy Napier and company over Miami and Texas A&M.
Morris, a 4-star out of Lakeland, is ranked as the No. 3 linebacker in the state, and No. 25 overall player in the USA TODAY Florida Top 100.
He tallied 95 total tackles for Lakeland as a junior with 9 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. He also averaged 8 yards per carry with 5 scores on 19 touches as a ball carrier.
Morris is the latest addition to a red-hot 2026 class in Gainesville. He’s the 15th player to commit to Florida this summer, and ninth from the Sunshine State to join Napier’s class.
Florida holds three commitments from players in the top-30 of the USA TODAY Florida Top 100 (CJ Bronough, Kendall Guervil, and now Morris). The Gators hold seven total pledges from Top 100 players at the start of July.
Who is Malik Morris, Florida football commit?
School: Lakeland
Commitment: Florida
Height, Weight: 6-1, 225 pounds
2024 Stats: 95 tackles, 9 sacks, 3 FF, 1 INT (Lakeland Ledger)
Honors: Lakeland Ledger Big Schools Defensive Player of the Year
USA Today Florida Network Ranking: No. 25 (No. 3 linebacker)
247Sports Composite: 4 star, No. 32 player in Florida, No. 17 LB in the nation
Scouting report: Few players impact winning at storied programs like Lakeland as much as Morris. Every big win the Dreadnaughts notched, Morris can be credited with a game-defining play on either side of the ball. He reads the game at a high level and is effective in coverage, but he is also a bruiser with incredible strength.
Top 6: Miami, Florida, Bama, Georgia, Texas A&M, Missouri
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Lakeland star LB Malik Morris chooses Florida over Miami, Texas A&M
Reporting by Nick Wilson, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
