For all of Jim McElwain's scrambling to secure a strong Class of 2015 for the Florida Gators, his efforts to date had lacked a signature commitment.
Monday night, Jordan Scarlett became just that.
GatorBoy! pic.twitter.com/UKf3DRoBzu
— Manchild (@Famousscarlett) February 3, 2015
Scarlett, a consensus four-star prospect from national power St. Thomas Aquinas, is rated the No. 13 running back in the Class of 2015, committed to the Gators with the tweet above and in a video published by Fox Sports Florida Monday night.
He picked the Gators over Florida State and Miami, and did so after spending last weekend on an official visit to FSU and announcing a decommitment from Miami after months of being committed to the Hurricanes.
Oh, and he might be the best offensive weapon in the state of Florida this year.
Working mostly as a running back, Scarlett — 5'11", and close to 200 pounds — helped Aquinas to its eighth state title, running for 121 yards and a touchdown in the state title game, and showed dazzling straight-line speed that could make him Florida's best option for taking it to the house on the ground from the instant he dons orange and blue.
And after Florida failed to add a speed back in 2014 — the Gators had Dalvin Cook until a fateful flip to Florida State, then added Brandon Powell, more quick than fast and likely now destined for the slot — Scarlett is a welcome addition for McElwain, who will need to keep adding kindling to make the Gators explosive on offense again.
Scarlett's commitment is the second of the day, following that of Texas athlete Kylan Johnson, and makes 15 for the Gators in their Class of 2015, but it might not be the last of the day: Georgia cornerback Chris Williamson, considered a heavy Florida lean at the moment, is set to announce his college choice during a television special at 10 p.m. Monday night.
Florida appears to be nearing the light at the end of the tunnel. And it certainly seems that McElwain's train is steaming into the light, rather than any other possibility.