Florida Makes Top 6 For DB Jordan Pride

Former Florida State safety commit Jordan Pride has reshaped his top list of schools following his recent decommitment.

On Sunday evening, Pride announced Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas A&M as the six schools moving forward in contention for his services.

The Gators have stood out as a potential top choice for Pride even during his pledge to FSU, which he made in July 2021, as he’s expressed an evident liking for the UF program and the staff in place.

"I'll say they're up there, but I'm just trying to make sure I have the right choice," he said of Florida to All Gators on April 13.

The four-star secondary piece has attended campus on four separate occasions since July, making Florida’s inclusion in the top schools list come as little surprise.

Most recently, Pride stopped by Gainesville for the Orange and Blue Spring Game, where he had the opportunity to continue building relationships with the coaching staff, namely head coach Billy Napier and newly minted defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong.

"It was great to be back, watch the atmosphere and see all the fans coming out on a Thursday night — that's crazy,” he said. “The defenses looked good and the DBs are young, but they're developing.

"I talked to Coach (Austin) Armstrong and Billy (Napier). They were glad to have me back here.”

After the trek, the Blountstown (Fla.) defensive back, placed the Gators alongside the Crimson Tide, Volunteers and Aggies as the teams he viewed highly. Upon further evaluation, Arkansas and Ole Miss were added to the fold of schools continuing forward in his recruitment.

Pride, formerly of IMG Academy before transferring back to Blountstown midway through his junior year, is a highly sought after safety prospect who’s produced at a high level throughout his prep career. He accounted for 20 tackles, two interceptions and a pick-six for the latter school in just seven appearances a season ago.

Possessing athleticism and an lengthy frame at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, Pride projects to serve as a versatile safety piece who can operate in man-to-man and two-high coverage or in the box at the next level.

In Florida’s multiple personnel defensive scheme, he’s expected to perform in that varied capacity if he were to choose the Gators.

However, he heads into his senior season surrounded by uncertainty, as he rehabs from a knee injury suffered in the winter during basketball season. Multiple teams — including Florida — will monitor his progress over the next several months, although there’s some confidence regarding his return to his former playing form.

It’s unclear when he plans to announced his new commitment decision, but Pride hinted that it could be sooner rather than later in mid-April.

"I'll probably say by the end of this month or into the next month," Pride said.

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