National Signing Day: Live coverage of how the Florida Gators perform with this year's final signings
National Signing Day has arrived, and there’s no shortage of excitement at the University of Florida as football head coach Billy Napier and his coaching staff look to put the finishing touches on their transition class in Gainesville.
Florida expects to receive signed letters of intent from at least eight verbally committed players looking to finalize their recruitments, and the Gators remain in the mix for more than six uncommitted prospects set to announce their decisions throughout the day.
"Much like we said before: one day at a time, one person at a time," Napier said. "We've added some really good people since the last time we stood up here with you guys – not only football players, but also staff members."
After verbally committing to the Gators on national television, Bolles (Fla.) edge rusher Jack Pyburn didn’t waste any time when it came to making his decision official, becoming the first player to send in a signed letter of intent.
The Jacksonville native chose the Gators over scholarship offers from Auburn University and the University of Miami (Fla.).
Check back throughout the day for live updates of National Signing Day as it relates to the Florida Gators.
Wrapping up Signing Day:Florida Gators football adds eight players to boost Billy Napier's first class
Statewide news:National Signing Day: Live updates from Florida's top prospects
5:18| Billy Napier: more to come?
Despite addressing the media, Florida coach Billy Napier indicated the Gators may not be done when it came to signing prospects.
"Obviously you've got a list there of guys that have signed so far, just added a few more just a couple minutes ago," Napier said in his opening statement. "We've got more to go today."
It's unclear whether or not he was referring to Perkins, who signed with LSU less than an hour after Napier's press conference concluded, but UF's head coach seemed rather confident the program wasn't finished making additions to the team's roster. And when it comes to Florida's support staff, Napier said there's more work to be done there, too.
"I think we're a couple of pieces away there. I think we've got a few spots, graduate assistants, in particular," he said. "I think we've got more work to do there to fill those jobs. Couple more off-the-field positions. But for the most part we're close to being done.
4:39| 5-star Harold Perkins picks LSU
The highest remaining target on Florida's board, linebacker Harold Perkins, announced he is signing with LSU over offers from Texas A&M and the Gators. There was some hope within the program that UF would emerge with Perkins when the dust settled, considering he'd backed off an earlier pledge to the Aggies, but the five-star prospect is heading to Baton Rouge
3:05| Gators sign DL Andrew Savaiinaea
Just prior to Billy Napier's press conference, Florida received a signed letter of intent from defensive lineman Andrew Savaiinaea out of Graham, Washington.
Savaiinaea helped lead his high school team to a perfect 15-0 record and a state championship during his senior season. Savaiinaea also displayed impressive hands off of the line, hauling in 24 passes for 317 yards and nine touchdowns.
He's considered one of the top-10 prospects from the state of Washington.
2:48| Caleb Douglas picks UF over LSU
Brian Kelly's Signing Day woes continued with Caleb Douglas' decision to sign with Florida over offers from the Tigers, USC and Notre Dame. The 6-foot-3 Douglas was named Co-Offensive MVP this past season in Texas District 10-5A-1 football after catching 51 passes for 984 yards and five touchdowns. He's the second pass-catcher the Gators signed Wednesday following the addition of tight end Hayden Hansen.
2:03| Followed by Jalen Kimber
Florida has also announced the addition of Jalen Kimber, a four-star prospect in the class of 2020 who played his first two seasons at Georgia.
Kimber appeared in just three games with the Bulldogs as a freshman and was expected to play a larger role as a sophomore, but a shoulder injury limited him for the majority of Georgia’s championship-winning season. Instead, he arrives in Gainesville looking for a fresh start.
Kimber announced his decision to join the Florida program on Jan. 12.
1:40| Florida announces O'Cyrus Torrence
UF announced the addition of a highly regarded transfer in offensive lineman O’Cyrus Torrence from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. The 6-foot-5 Torrence earned All-Sun Belt conference honors in consecutive seasons with the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Torrence is already on campus, having joined the UF program as a senior in time for the Spring semester.
12:45| Gators get their QB: Max Brown
The Gators have landed their signal caller.
Less than two weeks removed from de-committing from Central Michigan and flipping to UF following his official visit, Max Brown has signed with Florida.
A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Brown dazzled during his senior season, passing for nearly 4,100 yards to go along with 61 touchdown passes while claiming the state’s 3A District MVP award. Florida also landed transfer quarterback Jack Miller from Ohio State, giving the team six quarterbacks heading into Spring camp.
12:33| TreVonte Citizen fakes out finalists
The Gators were one of the four hats on the table for TreVonte’ Citizen, the nation’s No. 9 overall running back according to 247Sports’ composite, after Citizen narrowed his decision to Auburn, Florida, LSU and Miami in the build-up to National Signing Day.
Citizen’s announcement was broadcast nationally on ESPN2, and he certainly made it an entertaining one by keeping people guessing until the final second.
Citizen put on and subsequently removed all four hats on the table before revealing a fifth hat – a white hat adorned with Miami’s logo, indicating he’ll be headed south to play under head coach Mario Cristobal.
12:06| TE Hayden Hansen makes it official
Tight end Hayden Hansen has sent in his signed letter of intent.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder out of Weatherford, Texas, was recruited by assistant coach William Peagler, resulting in Hansen verbally committing Jan. 23 to Florida.
Hansen, the team’s lone signee at tight end, also spent his junior season as his high school team’s punter.
11:37| Trevor Etienne inks with Gators
Florida has received a signed letter of intent from all-purpose running back Trevor Etienne out of Jennings, Louisiana.
Etienne, ranked a four-star prospect and the No. 14 overall running back in the 247Sports composite rankings, committed to the Gators and running backs coach Jabbar Juluke back on Jan. 8.
Etienne, the younger brother of current Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, had received interest from Clemson – where his brother starred – in addition to Alabama and Auburn earlier in his recruitment before landing with the Gators. He’s the fourth prospect to sign with Florida on National Signing Day.
10:33| Caden Story chooses Clemson over Florida
Four-star defensive lineman Caden Story opted to sign with Clemson over Florida, despite the Gators getting the last visit in his recruitment. UF was reportedly in this one until the last minute, but coach Dabo Swinney emerged victorious.
9:51 a.m.| Jalen Farmer sticks with UF
According to a report from On3Sports, the Gators are set to receive a signed letter of intent from Jalen Farmer, a 6-foot-5 offensive lineman out of Covington, Georgia, who pledged to previous UF head coach Dan Mullen.
Farmer maintained his commitment through Florida’s coaching turnover and into the final month, though multiple SEC foes did try and keep him from reaching Gainesville.
Farmer took official visits to Alabama, Auburn and Kentucky in the build-up to Signing Day, making it a realistic possibility the Gators would lose their lone offensive line target of the day to a conference opponent, but Florida ultimately withstood the competition and landed Farmer.
He's ranked a three-star prospect in the 247Sports composite rankings.
9:21 a.m. | Miguel Mitchell signs with UF over Tennessee
The Gators have received a signed letter of intent from Miguel Mitchell, a 6-foot-1 safety out of Oxford, Alabama, who verbally committed to the Gators on Jan. 16 after officially visiting the program.
Mitchell also received interest from Oregon and Tennessee in the final month of his recruitment, including an in-home visit from Volunteers coach Josh Heupel on Jan. 25, but Mitchell opted not to take any official visits following his pledge to Florida.
Mitchell is ranked a three-star prospect in 247Sports’ composite rankings.
8:35 a.m. | Jack Pyburn makes it official
Linebacker Jack Pyburn made it official this morning, joining the Gators.
8:30 a.m. | Potential signings from within the state
At least three remaining top Florida recruits have the Gators on their list.
One, linebacker Jack Pyburn from Jacksonville's Bolles School, has already committed to Florida as of yesterday.
Two others, Winter Park running back Terrance Gibbs and St. Johns Creekside offensive tackle Matt McCoy, have the Gators as finalists. It'll be interesting to see if Florida coach Billy Napier can help bring them in.
Click here to follow these and other statewide uncommitted recruits.