Florida State was the beneficiary of most of the flipping from Florida recruits among the Big Three in-state schools, but the Gators pushed back some on signing day.
ESPN 300 prospect Treon Harris (Miami/Booker T. Washington), ranked No. 7 among dual-threat quarterbacks nationally, signed with Florida on Wednesday. He had been committed to Florida State since July.
Earlier in the morning, ESPN 300 athlete J.C. Jackson (Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee) stuck with Florida over FSU and Miami.
The Gators already had a 2014 quarterback in Will Grier (Davidson, N.C./Davidson Day School), but the 5-foot-11, 186-pound Harris gives Will Muschamp a litany of options in Gainesville. Harris could get a chance at quarterback, but he could also ultimately end up at receiver or cornerback.
Harris, No. 163 in the ESPN 300, has legitimate 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash, so the Gators hope he is an immediate playmaker if he does land on offense. Florida's offense was one of the worst units in the country last season, and much of that had to do with the lack of explosive plays in the passing game.
"Undersized at the QB position but a dynamic player with the football in his hands," ESPN national recruiting analyst Craig Haubert said. "[He] could possibly move to corner for the Gators."
For Florida State, this is a bit of a tough blow as the Noles were willing to allow Harris to try quarterback before moving him to another position. And Harris’ senior season began making believers out of several people that he could be a quarterback at the college level. However, the Noles still have ESPN 300 quarterback J.J. Cosentino (Pittsburgh/Central Catholic), and Jimbo Fisher has not struggled to recruit and develop quarterbacks. Florida State should rebound quickly from Harris’ decommitment.
Harris’ commitment to the Gators might hurt Auburn most. Harris fits the mold for what Gus Malzahn is looking for in a quarterback.
