UF feels like home to Jaelen Waters, but others still recruiting Gators commit

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA — Florida didn’t stop recruiting 4-star 2026 cornerback Jaelen Waters of Seffner (Fla.) Armwood after he committed to Florida State in April. It paid off when he backed off that pledge and then gave the Gators a verbal in June. But even though Waters now is a Gators commit, he’s still being pursued by other programs. And he said over the weekend he’ll probably visit a couple of them.

“It’s Miami, LSU and Texas A&M (recruiting him),” Waters said, before adding “Only LSU and Miami — and that’s it” will get visits.

Before Waters showed up in Gainesville on Saturday for the Grill in the Ville recruiting event, there had been chatter he might visit Miami that day. It obviously didn’t happen.

“I didn’t know that the days got mixed up,” Waters said. “I was planning on going to Miami but once I found out the dates were on the same day, I went to Florida. (Miami’s message to him is) Get me down there. That’s all that is. They just want to get me down there.”

Jaelen Waters is one of the top young recruits in Florida

Waters, the No. 12 corner in the country for the On3 Industry Rankings, seemed happy he made the trip to Gainesville. The event proved to be a good bonding experience for him.

“It went good,” Waters said. “I was just chilling with Coach Will (Harris ) and Coach Billy Napier today. We were doing activities outside and stuff like that. That was the highlight of the day.”

When asked if he helped the Gators recruit any during the event, Waters replied, “Oh yeah, for sure.” Then he said the Florida staff got a silent commit Saturday, which he seemed pretty excited about.

Even though the Tigers and ‘Canes haven’t backed off, Waters, who stayed overnight in Gainesville, maintained Saturday he is happy with his commitment to the Gators. And when asked what he’d like to see from the Florida team on the field this season, he said, “Just beat Miami. I just want to beat Miami.”

“Feeling good,” Waters said of his commitment. “I should be still locked in. I’m definitely going to be locked in for college. I feel like this is home.”

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