clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Florida football recruiting: Gators flip 2017 OL Kadeem Telfort from Miami

Jim McElwain just keeps building a wall up front, and Randy Shannon keeps landing South Florida prospects.

By Andy Hutchins
GatorVision

Florida added another offensive lineman and another 2017 commit on Tuesday — and did it both by plucking a prospect out of Miami's backyard in South Florida and by prying the player in question from Miami's clutches.

Miami Norland offensive lineman Kadeem Telfort, who committed to Miami in March, flipped to the Gators on Tuesday, announcing the decision on Twitter.

Apart from his fantastic Twitter handle and lamentable spelling of Florida, Telfort's standout attribute is his size: At 6'6" and 310 pounds as a rising junior, he has the frame and bulk to be a live body at offensive tackle in an FBS program without even having to transform himself. Telfort is rated a consensus three-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite rankings.

He's also yet more proof that having Randy Shannon on Jim McElwain's staff is a powerful lure in South Florida, and especially at Norland, his alma mater. Telfort is the third Norland Viking to commit to the Gators since Shannon's January hiring, joining 2015 signee Rayshad Jackson and 2016 Florida commit Vosean Joseph, who credited himself with Telfort's flip in a tweet on Tuesday.

Telfort becomes Florida's third commitment for the Class of 2017, joining ballyhooed quarterback Jake Allen and wide receiver Lavarus Tigner. Obligatory reminder: There are almost 20 months remaining until National Signing Day in February 2017, and Telfort's already reneged on a commitment once.