BREAKING: DL Commits to Florida During Official Visit

Three-star Jamir Perez will be shutting down his recruitment after pledging to the Gators during his official visit.
Oct 16, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Florida Gators helmet on a water jug during the game against LSU Tigers during the first half  at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Oct 16, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Florida Gators helmet on a water jug during the game against LSU Tigers during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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GAINESVILLE, Fla.-- Leaving his visit with the Florida Gators, Cleveland (Oh.) Glenville three-star defensive lineman Jamir Perez on Sunday committed to the program. Perez is Florida's first commitment of the summer and second overall pledge in the class.

Perez (6-4, 330 pounds), Rivals' No. 28 overall defensive lineman in the class, also plans on cancelling his scheduled official visits to Vanderbilt (May 30), Wisconsin (June 6), Cincinnati (June 13) and Ohio State (20).

"For me, it's shut down. I committed today. So, therefore, it's Gator time," he said after leaving his visit. "Ain't no more room for no one else in my opinion. It's time to put in that work."

He was originally predicted to choose Florida by On3's Steve Wiltfong and Corey Bender earlier in the day.

"For me, see, I'm from Ohio. So I had Ohio State. Being an Ohio kid, that's usually the dream," he said. "For me, I always dreamed myself of playing in the SEC. I'm an SEC type of body. I'm an SEC type of player."

Highlight's of Perez's visit included sit-downs with head coach Billy Napier, defensive line coach Gerald Chatman and quality control specialist Jeremy Patterson.

"I got to know them more. We got to talk over the phone, but it was nice putting a face on it," he said. "Getting to talk to the coaches and really getting to know them, it just made everything in my experience a lot better."

Perez said Florida views him as a versatile defensive lineman that can play both at nose tackle and at the three-tech end position with the potential to play early, similar to Michai Boireau, who hosted Perez.

Perez was one of seven recruits to visit Florida over the weekend alongside five-star offensive lineman Felix Ojo, five-star defensive back Chauncey Kennon, five-star wide receiver Calvin Russell, four-star running back Carsyn Baker, four-star offensive lineman Ekene Ogboko and four-star edge rusher Luke Wafle.

The only one of the group to commit this weekend, Perez wants to help build Florida's class going forward.

"I feel like I could be a pillar in helping this class build up," he said. "I'm just ready. I'm here."

Florida is also projected to land a slew of other prospects including our-star defensive lineman Valdin Sone, four-star linebacker Malik Morris, four-star safety CJ Hester, interior offensive lineman G'Nivre Carr and tight end Kekua Aumua.

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Cam Parker
CAM PARKER

Cam Parker is a contributing writer at AllGators.com of FanNation-Sports Illustrated and is a recent graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in journalism. He also covers and broadcasts Alachua County high school sports with The Prep Zone and Mainstreet Daily News. When he isn't writing, he enjoys listening to '70s music such as The Band or Lynyrd Skynyrd, binge-watching shows and playing with his cat, Chester.