The Florida Gators picked up a big piece to their 2015 recruiting class puzzle on Monday evening when Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas running back Jordan Scarlett chose UF over in-state rivals FSU and Miami.

Scarlett was on the board for the Gators coaching staff under the previous regime, but wasn't really a player. However it was Florida head coach Jim McElwain who made Scarlett a priority when he took the Florida job - and that in turn eventually is what helped to pull the talented back out of South Florida.

"He loves running backs like me," Scarlett told Fox Sports Florida during his announcement. "That kind of got me excited and they hired an offensive coordinator that's a really great guy too."

Scarlett is the 15th commitment in the Gators 2015 recruiting class and the seventh pickup on the trail since last Wednesday.