In the early race for the top 2010 recruiting class, the Gators increased their lead Tuesday with the oral commitment of Gideon Ajagbe.
Ajagbe, an athlete from Coconut Grove Ransom Everglades High, is UF's ninth commit, putting the school ahead of Southeastern Conference rivals Alabama and LSU, which have seven and six recruits, respectively. Ajagbe is also the seventh player in UF's class on the Rivals250, an early ranking of the nation's best juniors on the recruiting Web site Rivals.com.
Ajagbe waited until he received his ACT test results, which he described as "well above the requirement," to commit. The Gators offered him a scholarship last summer before his team started two-a-days.
Ajagbe plays running back, linebacker, safety and special teams for Ransom Everglades, a team with only 23 players.
"I've learned to play every position because of the lack of numbers," he said.
UF assistant coach Vance Bedford, who recruited Ajagbe, told the prospect UF wants him to play defense.
"I'm being recruited as a linebacker, mostly outside. I don't have an inside linebacker's body. I actually don't have an outside linebacker's body, but hopefully I'll get there," the 197-pounder said.
The UF coaches want to put weight on Ajagbe without sacrificing his speed. He runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash and competes in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes for Ransom Everglades.
He said his track schedule, coupled with the five-hour drive between his Miami home and Gainesville, makes it difficult to attend UF spring practices, but he hopes to visit campus soon.
"I want to come to the spring game, then come this summer to Friday Night Lights. I also want to talk to an academic adviser," he said.
ajagbe showed why college coaches recruit him as a linebacker during a game against Coral Shores his sophomore year. Ransom Everglades was kicking off and the return man broke three tackles before encountering ajagbe at the 30-yard line. ajagbe's hit gave the kick returner whiplash, leaving him lying in a crumpled heap on the sideline.
ajagbe has offers from FSU, South Florida, North Carolina and Boston College, but he feels UF is the best team in the nation and liked the way the coaches recruited him.
"None of (the UF coaches) pressured me. That was also a big factor," he said. "They let me know they're there, and they wanted me to be a Gator, but it was ultimately my decision."
Oral commitments are non-binding until a national letter-of-intent is signed on National Signing Day on Feb. 3, 2010.
