While many of the top Florida talents have spurned their home state for conference rivals, the Florida Gators and new head coach Jim McElwain finally made their first splash of the 2015 National Signing Day.
Earlier today, five-star offensive tackle Martez Ivey chose to sign with the Gators.
Ivey was ranked by Rivals.com as the fourth overall prospect, but most of the team’s courting had been run by former head coach Will Muschamp raising doubts with some close to the program. It could have been devastating if Muschamp, now at Auburn, was able to steal the Apopka, Florida native away from the Gators.
Just minutes ago, five-star defensive end CeCe Jefferson chose the Gators as well over the likes of Ole Miss, Alabama, and LSU. Jefferson is one of the best defensive prospects in the country and landing him is a big boost for Florida’s defense moving forward.
Still, McElwain proved to Gators fans that the program’s decision to bring him aboard was a good one by closing the deal with Ivey and Jefferson. Despite Ivey’s massive talents, however, the Gators coaching staff will need to mold him into a pure pass protector, because quarterback health was an area of concern for the Florida program for much of Muschamp’s tenure.
*Section Photo credit to Tom Hauck, Student Sports; Featured Photo (above) credit to Joe Petro, Orlando Sentinel
