TAMPA, Fla. | After losing a commitment at the running back position on Tuesday evening, Florida rebounded by adding a prospect at the position Wednesday morning when Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit running back Malik Davis committed to the Gators over finalists Miami, and North Carolina.
The three-star back was offered by Florida on Friday and after pondering over his choices over the weekend he was ready to let the world know he was taking his talents to Gainesville.
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“Florida is a great school and I just feel like I fit in perfectly with the offense and the things they are doing,” explained Davis. “I feel like this is the best decision for me after talking with my family, my mom, and coaches.”
According to Davis he let the Gators coaching staff know of his intentions Tuesday evening. When he informed the staff they were very happy to hear the good news.
“They were fired up and just as excited as I was and it made me feel even more comfortable about my decision,” said Davis. “Coach [Tim] Skipper is a great guy and a great coach. I love the way he coaches and his personality.”
The Gators have relied on a stable of four running backs this season. Seeing the run game being such a focal point in Florida’s offense has the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder excited for the future.
“They are a run first team and I like to run the ball,” explained Davis. “The team that runs the best wins football games. I feel like I fit in with their other backs they have on the roster.”
Jesuit head coach Matt Thompson has relied heavily on Davis this season. Through seven games Davis has over 1,200 rushing yards and recently broke the Hillsborough County rushing record formerly held by five-star athlete Ray-Ray McCloud, who is now at Clemson.
According to Thompson he feels Davis will mesh well in the Gators offense.
“I think they are getting a back who is going to be committed to doing whatever it takes to be successful,” said Thompson. “He is so competitive that if you tell him something is hard he is going to get it done. He has speed and will get bigger. He has some growing left to do and he knows he has to work hard because it won’t be easy there. I tell him all the time to not just be the best here at Jesuit, but be the best everywhere. I know his commitment level to football and love for the game is going to make him excel.”
Coach Thompson was also very happy to see his star player commit to prestigious instate program such as Florida.
“This is really the first big time recruit going to an SEC school for me here at Jesuit. In the past I have had players at a lot of schools. It feels good and I am so happy for Malik because he’s worked so hard for this accomplishment. For it to come to fruition it’s almost like losing a son, but we have games left to go. I am excited about the season and his future.”
Davis has visited Florida quite a few times in the past for both games as well as football camps.
Going forward he plans to return to The Swamp for the Gators final home game against South Carolina.
“I’ve been there multiple times and I should be going back up there soon and I can’t wait to get back. The Swamp is crazy with 90-thousand people there and I can’t wait to play in front of that big of a crowd.”
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