Richerd Desir-Jones isn’t one of Florida’s best-known 2015 signees, but all Gator fans should get familiar with his story.
His success in football is enough to get your attention.
The 6-foot-3, 292-pound tw0-way lineman from Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas won the Class 7A state championship as a senior.
He then committed to UF as an offensive guard just days before signing day, flipping from FIU.
Although Desir-Jones is rated a consensus three-star lineman, Scout national recruiting analyst Chad Simmons calls him a “true sleeper” with good feet and real upside.
But Desir-Jones’ accomplishments and well-deserved praise go way beyond the football field. Here is a video feature from NBC6 on his inspiring story.
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Photo credit: Miami Herald
Great story. So pleased to have high character types on our team. Best wishes Richerd.
great story…happy he’s a gator!!!
I’m going to be rooting for his success on the team and in life.
There should be many more stories like this to share. Our world would be so much better today. Congrats young man, and thank you to his family. Welcome to GATOR NATION. GO GATORS//////
Welcome to your extended family. We wish you the best life can offer. Thank you for choosing to be A FLORIDA GATOR.
IT’S GOOD TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR !!!!!!!
Gotta love that smile!
Welcome to Gator Country, Richerd! The people and experiences awaiting you at the University of Florida will shape your life and be essential to God ‘s plans for you. You’re going to be a purposeful, really important guy to those you love. Thanks for joining our grand company of Gators. And thanks, Zach, for letting us receive this story, too .
He is now my favorite Gator! What a kid, what a family.
Welcome to the Gator Nation, Richerd!
I’ll be rooting for you all the way…
Awesome story. I love the kid’s determination, humbleness and excitement and am looking forward to seeing it translate on the field. Now . . . where are the trolls who were blasting this recruitment and mocking the ‘flip’ from FIU?
As blessed as he feels about getting the opportunity to play at Florida…we are just as blessed to have him. Welcome to Gator Nation Richerd!
That’s the kind of high character kids that I love to see at UF. I am betting he will be a great success.
I’D LIKE TO THANK HIS FAMILY THAT TOOK HIM IN TO HELP DEVELOP A GREAT YOUNG MAN. OK RICHERD, ITS YOUR TIME TO MAKE YOURSELF PROUD AND CONTINUE TO FILL THAT WHOLE THAT YOU ONCE SAY IN THE MIRROR. GREAT TO HAVE YOU AND I HOPE THE REMAINDER OF THAT WHOLE IS FILLED AT THE UF. GATOR NATION IS BEHIND YOU TOO, MAKE US AL PROUD!!! GO GATORS!!!!
Good stuff! Go Gators.
There ARE many more stories like this but we have a media which is bent on swimming in the tragic news that our culture loves to feed on.. So glad to have a kid like this on our team.. His type of leadership is needed in the locker room, as well as on & off the field.
“I’m not here to replace your father, I’m just here to finish what he started.” What a great perspective from a man with strong character. I wish nothing but the best for our new Gator and his entire family!
On the behalf of gator nation its an honor to have such a highly motivated kid join our team. Someone who is so greatful to be here and someone who has fought threw so much adversity in life already as a kid will translate that on the football fieldand one thing is for sure, we should b thanful to have him and we could use more of em…# upandcommer
Great human interest story. Let’s hope he avails himself of all that UF has to offer. As articulate as he is, UF will be a great experience for him. Welcome to #GatorNation, young man!