Florida Football: Jaden Rashada update gives Gators unique distinction
![Florida Gators offensive coordinator Rob Sale hugs Florida Gators recruit Jaden Rashada after the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 12, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs South Carolina Gamecocks](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fb482533cec463d6b151a373994a30247971cb2bec6abc63f82331df0356cc746.jpg "Florida Gators offensive coordinator Rob Sale hugs Florida Gators recruit Jaden Rashada after the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 12, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs South Carolina Gamecocks")
Remember that time in the summer when everyone was panicked that Billy Napier wasn’t able to recruit at a level that was going to keep Florida football competitive? Good times. Napier has been able to flip the narrative around recruiting and has put together a recruiting class for 2023 that is currently tied for fourth in the country in blue-chip prospects.
But a recent update to incoming QB Jaden Rashada’s ranking, combined with the signing of 2024 QB DJ Lagway, gives the Gators a distinction no other school in the country can claim.
Florida Football: QB U
247 Sports released an update to their player ratings now that the high school season for virtually everyone is done. Some players like running back Treyaun Webb saw their ranking drop despite a solid high school season. Rashada however, who recently flipped from Miami to Florida, ascended into the elite territory by gaining five-star status.
His newfound five-star status means that Florida football is the only team in the country with a five-star QB committed for both 2023 and 2024.
The last five-star QB Florida signed out of high school, Jeff Driskel, didn’t pan out like Gator fans would have hoped. Though Driskel has managed to hang around the NFL and it was just announced he was signing with the Texans.
But having roster depth at any position only helps everyone involved. Both Rashada and Lagway know they will have to earn their spot, and nothing will be handed to them. If one of them doesn’t pan out, Napier has options.
The bigger narrative is that Napier is proving he can sign high quality players at coveted positions. The more he can do that, the more momentum he is going to create and the more guys like Keon Keeley will stay home rather than just go to Alabama.
Keep up with all things Florida football with Hail Florida Hail.