USF throws more jabs at Florida, takes defeat of Gators to a whole other level

South Florida took things to another level over the weekend when, after their 18-16 defeat of Florida in the Swamp, they contacted Florida commit Javarii Luckas. Luckas, the three-star offensive tackle out of Glades Central High School, committed to Florida officially after his May 30 visit to the Swamp.

He was originally planning to be in Gainesville among other recruits over the weeken, but ended up watching the game from home. And after the clock hit zero, South Florida added salt to Florida’s wound by sarcastically texting the commit.

“One coach from there texted me after the game asking if I enjoyed the game,” he said. While Florida’s loss to then-unranked USF and now No. 18 does open the door for recruits to make some decisions, Florida fans can take a breath in knowing Luckas isn’t falling for South Florida’s tricks.

“It doesn’t really do nothing,” Luckas went on to say as he confirmed he is committed to Billy Napier and the Florida Gators with the class of 2026. “It really just shows they (USF) are a decent team this year. 

While Luckas says he is committed to the Gators win or loss, some other recruits could feel otherwise if the Gators don’t turn things around soon. Recruiting is the one thing that Napier currently has going for him. They sit with 19 commits and the 13th-ranked recruiting class right now and are leading the recruitment for class of 2027 quarterback, Elijah Haven. 

With the odds now against them and Napier’s back against the wall, the Gators now head to Baton Rouge to take on SEC nemesis and No. 3 LSU.

The time is now for Napier and the Gators to prove they can come back from behind and the turn the season around. Otherwise, recruits could turn, making matters worse for Napier’s hopes of staying the head coach at Florida.