State signing day recap: FSU, UF each add signee to complete 2023 recruiting classes

It’s as if they moved Christmas to October.

The first Wednesday in February used to be the only National Signing Day for football. There were “presents” galore for fans throughout the country as recruits signed by the dozens.

Now, most recruits sign in December, leaving February for just a few stragglers – perhaps a bow tie and a pair of socks to conclude the metaphor.

With Miami and FIU’s recruiting efforts covered elsewhere in The Herald, here’s an update on the rest of the state: (All rankings courtesy of 247Sports).

Florida on Wednesday signed four-star offensive tackle Caden Jones, who is from New Orleans. He is the Gators’ 20th incoming freshman. The Gators also have 10 transfers, and the entire group is ranked 17th nationally.

Florida State added linebacker Dylan Brown-Turner, who had been committed for the past 11 months to North Texas.

The Seminoles’ class of 27 recruits is ranked 16th. The recruits are evenly split – nine early enrollees, nine freshmen arriving later and nine transfers.

UCF’s recruiting class – 14 freshmen and 11 transfers – is ranked 65th.

The Knights are still battling Maryland for twins Andrew and Michael Harris, who are both four-star linebackers. The twins decommitted from UCF in December, and Maryland is considered the frontrunner now.

Florida Atlantic on Wednesday added three recruits, including incoming freshman offensive tackle Chrisdasson Saint-Jean, a 6-7, 310-pounder from Orlando. He decommitted from West Virginia last month.

The Owls also added two transfers: linebacker Ja’Corey Hammett and defensive back Jarron Morris.

Hammett played at Miami Northwestern High, West Virginia University (in 2021 as a redshirt) and Garden City Community College (last year). Morris, a Texas native, is a transfer from Texas State.

That gives FAU 19 signees – including five transfers – in a class that is ranked 82nd.

USF on Wednesday signed six players, including quarterback Israel Carter, who had previously committed to Arizona State; wide receiver Tyree Kelly, who flipped from Coastal Carolina; receiver/cornerback Ranod “Ocho” Smith; and offensive linemen Ryan Warren and Drew Perez; and tight end Gerard Edimo, who had been courted by Texas State. Perez’s size is noteworthy at 6-8 and 330 pounds.

The Bulls’ large recruiting class – with 17 freshmen and 13 transfers – is ranked 93rd.

Florida A&M has announced 11 recruits, including running backs Jaquez Yant, who transferred from Nebraska, and Kelvin Dean, who arrives from FAU.

The Rattlers also added wide receiver Jamari Gassett (Buffalo transfer); offensive lineman Ashton Grable (Jacksonville State); defensive linemen Chief Seye (Southeastern Louisiana); and Tyrese Gibson-Battles (Garden City Community College); defensive backs Jalen Glaze (Minnesota), Deco Wilson (Jacksonville State) and Ah’Mare Lee (UCF); punter Trey Wilhoit (Eastern Illinois); and athlete Levontai Summersett (North Fort Myers High).

Bethune Cookman, which does not yet have a coach following the Ed Reed controversy, has zero announced recruits for the Class of 2023.

St. Thomas University, which competes in the NAIA, announced 91 signees on Wednesday. The Bobcats are coming off their second straight 9-2 season.

Florida Memorial, which also competes on the NAIA level, signed 24 players, including 16 transfers. Coupled with 14 signees in December, that’s 38 recruits in this cycle.