South Florida athlete commits
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Is it surprising that Miami (Fla.) Northwestern athlete Nigel Bethel has committed to Florida?
Yes and no.
No, it isn't shocking that he picked the Gators. However the timing of the pledge is a bit surprising.
Normally when there's prospect movement during a coaching transistion period, it is players decommitting from a program due to the uncertainty surrounding said program.
On Sunday, in a bit of an anomaly, the exact opposite happened when the three-star athlete made his commitment to Florida public.
Though it went 'live' on Sunday, the 6-foot, 165-pounder said he actually committed to Florida interim head coach Randy Shannon on Thursday.
“I committed to Coach Shannon,” said Bethel. “He's still a Gator, so I can still be a Gator. Coach Shannon took a chance with me before anyone else when I had nothing, which is why I am looking forward to being a Gator despite how the season is going or the head coaching job opening up.”
In order to sell him on joining the Gators, Shannon sold him on what Florida has to offer as a program.
“Coach Shannon told me that he hopes that the head coach situation won't change my mind about being a Gator. He said it's still the SEC no matter what happens with th coaching situation.
“The Gators will be back, clicking and rolling along very soon. He told me I won't regret this decision.”
Though he is listed as a cornerback on Rivals and some see him as more of an athlete, he has been recruited to Florida to play wide receiver.
“He (Shannon) told me that I'll be able to use my speed on the offensive side of the ball playing wide receiver.”
Bethel, who is teammates with current Florida cornerback commit Divaad Wilson, said he was down to Florida, Georgia and Miami when he pledged to the Gators.
