Florida football recruiting: 2019 wideout Frank Ladson commits to Gators

It had been a relatively quiet stretch for the Florida Gators on the recruiting trail after their incredible close to the 2017 recruiting class. But on Saturday, Jim McElwain threw out his customary #ChompChomp tweet to signal a commitment — and, shortly afterward, the Gators had a new recruit in the fold.

That recruit is South Dade wide receiver Frank Ladson, per 247Sports, an unranked prospect in the 2019 recruiting class who is in attendance at a Florida junior day on campus this weekend.

Ladson is listed by 247Sports at 6’4” and 170 pounds, and that is very good size for a wideout, especially considering that Florida has had a host of smaller receivers in recent years. His highlight film — which is of his sophomore season with Miami’s Killian High School, though Ladson has since transferred to South Dade — shows him using his frame and leaping ability to high-point several passes, and also demonstrating his willingness to throw his relatively slight body into the work of blocking.

Ladson held offers from Georgia, UCF, and USF, but notably does not have one from Miami despite spending time on campus in Coral Gables in February. Florida was second to offer Ladson.

Ladson is Florida’s third commitment for the 2019 recruiting class, joining defensive end Jaleel McRae and defensive lineman Jaquaze Sorrells.

That makes the Gators’ 2019 class one player larger than its 2018 class: Wide receiver Jalynn Williams and defensive back Divaad Wilson are Florida’s lone 2018 recruits.