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Florida football: Gators lose Georgia 3-star athlete

By Matthew Clark

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson #23 of the Florida Gators attempts to break up a pass intended for Shi Smith #13 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson #23 of the Florida Gators attempts to break up a pass intended for Shi Smith #13 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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Florida football has had a good season thus far in terms of recruiting. However, over the Fourth of July, the program did lose one of its commitments.

Citing a “business decision,” 3-star athlete Jaheim Bell has de-committed from the Florida football program, according to 247Sports.

Bell is a 6-foot-2, 213-pound player from Valdosta, Georgia. He announced his de-commitment over his Twitter account.

“First off I will like to say thank you too (sic) all the coaches that have recruited me from the University Of Florida and giving me the opportunity to play for them,” Bell wrote on Twitter. “With that being said I will be RE-OPENING my recruitment. This is a business decision so I want to make sure I make the right one. Choosing a school and program is a life changing and important decision that will affect my future. I need to make sure I make the best decision for me and my family. Florida is still a top school for me. RESPECT MY DECISION!!!!”

https://twitter.com/Jaheim_Bell1/status/1146856690580643840

That’s a far cry from this posted just two weeks ago:

https://twitter.com/Jaheim_Bell1/status/1143991548834701314

Bell committed to Florida football right after the Gators’ spring game in April. He is rated as the No. 374 athlete in the country by the 247Composite and the No. 36 player overall in the state of Georgia.

Now, while I understand … kind of … what I don’t get is the “business decision” aspect of this. I can understand a business decision being about what agent you choose before being drafted, or what team you are looking at making a deal with.

But, a business decision related to where you are going to college?

I guess if you are a prospect and your choices are the University of Florida or Palm Beach State College (not that PBSC has a football program), then I guess that can be considered a business decision.

However, if you look at this kid’s profile, it would seem that the next most probable landing spot is … wait for it … that’s right … the juggernaut that is … the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Columbia is actually the only place this kid’s been too on an official visit.

I suppose the business aspect is the business school at South Carolina? I hear it is pretty decent, but I somehow doubt that is what Bell is talking about.

Don’t get me wrong … I respect his decision. It is his to make. But, don’t call it a “business decision” when it likely comes down to not wanting to compete for your spot. The competition for a position with the Gamecocks, albeit likely, I can’t imagine is nearly as competitive as trying to land a starting position with the Gators.

So, I guess the business decision here is the business of where someone can face the least amount of competition and get on the field the fastest … I guess I can respect that decision.

Florida football: Walker de-commits, opens door for Gators. dark. Next

The rationale, however, not so much.

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