Top schools emerge for 4-star safety from powerhouse program

A top recruiting prospect from St. Thomas Quinas is narrowing his list of potential suitors.

St. Thomas Aquinas four-star safety Zayden Gamble on a visit with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. | ZaydenGamble1/X

The pursuit of a premier defensive back from a national powerhouse has reached a critical juncture as the secondary standout narrows his focus. This high-profile prospect recently performed at a major seven-on-seven tournament where his combination of size and natural instincts was on full display.

His recruitment has been a national affair for months, drawing attention from every major conference while he anchors the defense for one of the most storied high school programs in the country.

A whirlwind of scholarship offers defined the early portion of the 2025 calendar year, with over a dozen programs extending invitations in April alone. This surge in interest reflects the value placed on a versatile defender who stands 5-11 and weighs 165 pounds.

While many teams remain in the hunt, the elite safety is now prioritizing a select group of suitors that have demonstrated a consistent, personalized approach to building a long-term relationship.

The decision-making process centers on three primary pillars: meaningful coaching connections, opportunities for early playing time, and a family-oriented atmosphere. He remains deeply committed to finding a collegiate home where his relatives can easily attend games and feel welcomed by the athletic department.

With a commitment date now scheduled for his birthday on July 16, the race to secure a verbal pledge from this four-star talent is accelerating toward a mid-summer conclusion.

Zayden Gamble recruitment led by some of the top college football programs

Zayden Gamble has identified the Miami Hurricanes, Florida Gators, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish as the programs currently making the strongest impression, according to Rivals analyst Marcus Benjamin. The St. Thomas Aquinas standout noted that communication frequency has been the deciding factor in separating these schools from his larger list of ten finalists.

The local pull of the Hurricanes is particularly strong, as head coach Mario Cristobal and safeties coach Will Harris maintain daily contact while former high school teammates Bryce Fitzgerald and Malachi Toney provide a peer-level perspective on the program.

Junior Season Highlights!!! #AGTG https://t.co/32c9GmK1AY pic.twitter.com/K5FSDAWP4s

— 4⭐️ Zayden Gamble (@ZaydenGamble1) January 25, 2026

The Florida Gators remain a significant threat following a January visit to Gainesville that helped solidify Gamble's view of the coaching staff. He has formed a multifaceted bond with various members of the staff, including Chris Collins and Brandon Harris, who have emphasized the energy and defensive philosophy of the program.

Meanwhile, the relationship with Georgia Tech is anchored by safety coach Vinnie Sunsieri, a coach Gamble explicitly noted he trusts. The Yellow Jackets have made up ground by pitching the vision of head coach Brent Key and the opportunity to contribute immediately in a rebuilding ACC program.

Rivals’ @BenjaminRivals names the schools leading for 4-star safety Zayden Gamble📈

Read: https://t.co/e96OtXSBZX pic.twitter.com/mQHmMkaFSs

— Rivals (@Rivals) February 10, 2026

Notre Dame rounds out the primary group by utilizing a high-level approach led by Marcus Freeman and Ja'Juan Seider. Gamble has expressed appreciation for the specific culture the Irish are establishing in South Bend and values the regular check-ins from the head coach.

His development is being fostered at St. Thomas Aquinas, a Fort Lauderdale institution that has produced NFL stars like Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa, and Michael Irvin. They've built a tradition that consistently ranks the school among the top talent producers in America.

While he intends to keep his recruitment open to new opportunities even after a verbal pledge, his goal is to find a school where he can spend his entire four-year career.