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2014 DB Duke Dawson commits to Florida

Less than a week after a Florida commit who is one of the best corners in the country in 2013 balled out on a national stage, the Gators get another potentially elite corner in Duke Dawson.

By Andy Hutchins
Bud Elliott/SB Nation

Florida's recruiting efforts won't stop with the assembly of their fantastic 2013 class: 2014 cornerback Duke Dawson of Dixie County (Fla.) High committed to the Gators in a school ceremony on Tuesday, according to everyone on Twitter who went. Dawson reportedly put on a Florida State t-shirt, then switched to a Florida one, so, yes, I like him.

Vernon Hargreaves III showed at the Under Armour All-America Game that Florida's "no-fly zone" in the second is likely to get better in the future than it already was, and Dawson's commitment is another indication that elite defensive backs, especially ones in Florida, will be Gators targets year in and year out under Will Muschamp.

Dawson has good size at 5'11" and 184 pounds according to Rivals, and the site lists him as a four-star prospect. Dawson also possesses exceptional cover skills, and, though he plays for a small school against other small schools, is reportedly very impressive on the field.

Dawson won't arrive at Florida until 2014, obviously, but here's the staggering potential two-deep he could have in front of him when he does arrive:

  • CB1: Loucheiz Purifoy, Vernon Hargreaves III
  • FS: Marcus Maye, Marcell Harris
  • SS: Keanu Neal, Nick Washington
  • CB2: Marcus Roberson, Brian Poole

    • Purifoy and Roberson are both considered potential early entrants into the 2014 NFL Draft, and are already somewhat unlikely to stay for their senior seasons, but they're the rooks of an exceptional chess set Muschamp is building. And every other person in that two-deep was/is higher-rated than Purifoy and Roberson coming out of high school. Dawson can be one of those rooks, too, and gives Florida a cornerstone in the secondary for 2014.

    Dawson's commitment also gives Florida four commitments for the 2014 class before National Signing Day for the 2013 class, as he joins WR Ryeshene Bronson, DT Travonte Valentine, and QB Will Grier in the core of what should be another strong class comprised mostly of Sunshine State prospects.