Former Florida CB Jalen Kimber Flips Transfer Commitment

Photo: Jalen Kimber; Credit: Zach Goodall

Former Florida cornerback Jalen Kimber has flipped his transfer commitment to Penn State from Louisville, he announced on Thursday.

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— Jalen Kimber (@J_BOOGIE_6) January 11, 2024

Kimber, whose NCAA transfer portal entry became known on Dec. 22, 2023, originally pledged to Louisville on Dec. 30. He continued his portal recruitment by visiting Texas A&M during the Week of Jan. 1, 2024, however, before making his way to Penn State this week.

"I extend my gratitude to the University of Louisville, coach [Jeff] Brohm, and coach [Ron] English for the chance to join their program. My approach has always been professional and respectful towards all coaches and staff who recruited me," Kimber wrote via social media on Thursday.

"Throughout this journey, I've learned a lot about myself and the importance of a school that aligns with my academic and athletic needs. With this in mind, I have decided to decommit from the University of Louisville, a program I truly appreciate and respect, and which I believe is set for success in 2024. With gratitude for this opportunity, I am excited to announce that I will complete my final season of college football at Pennsylvania State University."

Kimber is scheduled to earn his bachelor's degree from UF in the spring and is expected to transfer as a graduate student.

A native of Mansfield, Texas, Kimber signed with Georgia in the recruiting class of 2020 as a consensus four-star and top-100 prospect. A shoulder injury that required surgery derailed his redshirt freshman 2021 season with the Bulldogs, though, leading to his 2022 offseason transfer to Florida.

Throughout his two-year Gators career, Kimber compiled 36 tackles, seven pass breakups, one fumble recovery and an interception that he returned for a touchdown, memorably doing so with a broken left hand.

He made 11 starts for the team in 2023 — opposite Jason Marshall Jr., who is returning to the team in 2024 — and appeared in 25 games during his stint with UF.

Florida lost five defensive backs to the transfer portal this offseason, including three multi-game starters for the team in 2023: Kimber, nickel corner Jaydon Hill (who has committed to Texas A&M) and safety Miguel Mitchell.

Under the supervision of new secondary coach Will Harris, Florida has secured defensive back transfer commitments from Trikweze Bridges of Oregon and DJ Douglas of Tulane.

Additionally, the Gators signed cornerback Teddy Foster Jr. and safeties Josiah Davis and Gregory Smith III from the high school level in the recruiting class of 2024.

Find Florida's full log of transfer portal activity here.

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