Florida Gators News: Tarquin finds new home, top commits in Orlando

We lead off our weekend roundup of Florida Gators news with Michael Tarquin announcing he found a new home via the transfer portal. Tarquin announced after the Las Vegas Bowl that he would be departing the Gators and it was the first defection of a player that was expected to start next season.

After being injured against Kentucky, Tarquin would eventually return and split time with Austin Barber. Tarquin announced on Twitter last week that his new home would be on the west coast and he is joining the University of Southern California (the USC with academic standards).

Florida Gators at the Under Armour All-America Game

Over in Orlando, players from all over the country have gathered for the annual high school all-star game that will taking place tomorrow at 5 PM. The Florida Gators all well represented in this year’s game with 10 commits playing in the game:

• Jaden Rashada
• Kelby Collins
• Dijon Johnson
• Eugene Wilson III
• Roderick Kearney
• Ja’Keem Jackson
• Jordan Castell
• Will Norman
• Sharif Denson
• Knijeah Harris

While the value of this game is dissipated since virtually everyone in Orlando is already committed, so guys aren’t really having to fight to be noticed, video coming out from practice has mostly painted these future Gators in a positive light with the highlight being Rashada throwing a perfect deep ball to beat former Florida Gators target Cormani McClain.

We also saw Jackson pick off Rashada during drills.

Florida Gators News: Welcome to Gainesville CamRon Jackson

It all happened in the blink of an eye, but Memphis DT Cam’Ron Jackson announced on Thursday he was entering the transfer portal and by Friday night he had announced he was coming to Florida. Given the speed of the transfer, some people on Twitter feel Billy Napier and crew engaged in tampering to get Jackson to Gainesville.

Did they? Maybe. But given Jackson’s size at 6-6, 340 pounds, if Florida didn’t engage first then someone in the SEC would have. Fans of Memphis have every right to feel annoyed, but unfortunately that’s the name of the game.

When paired up with Desmond Watson next season, there shouldn’t be any questions regarding Florida’s size along the inside of the defensive line.