DBU gains another member.
Dan Mullen is beginning to build some solid momentum for his 2021 recruiting class.
Unanimous four star cornerback target Clinton Burton Jr. (Baltimore, MD/St. Frances) has committed to Florida. The high school junior chose the Gators over Alabama, and also had offers from Clemson, Michigan, Penn State, West Virginia and Maryland, among others.
The Gators now have five members in its 2021 recruiting class: Burton, defensive end Tyreak Sapp, pro-style quarterback Carlos Del Rio, ATH Kamar Wilcoxson, and offensive tackle George Jackson. Of those five, Jackson is the only one who is not rated as a four star prospect by each of the four major ranking systems (ESPN, Rivals, Scout, 247). As such, Florida’s 2021 class is ranked as the fifth best in America and tops in the SEC per 247’s ranking system.
What makes the pickup even bigger than the sheer allure of the stars is the need Florida will soon have at cornerback. Marco Wilson and CJ Henderson are, more than likely, gone after this season, and though it’s too early to truly tell, Trey Dean could possibly be another three-and-done guy, departing after the 2020 season. Kaiir Elam and Jaydon Hill will still be around in 2021, as will Chester Kimbrough, but depth could be a huge issue in the secondary by then, and this is where the departure of Chris Steele would really do some damage- if Florida doesn’t work hard now to replace him, that is.
And landing Burton was a tremendous first step in the recovery effort, and as always, props to Mullen, as well as DB coach Torrian Gray for not only identifying a potential need a few years down the road, but proactively doing something to fix it.
