Dan Mullen and the Gators received some national exposure Saturday afternoon, when the nation’s fifth rated cornerback announced he would spend his collegiate career as a Gator.
Chris Steele, of St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California made the announcement during the third quarter of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Steele signed during the Early Singing Period which allowed Gators head coach Dan Mullen to tweet the following:
Welcome to the Florida Family @KinggChris7!! Excited to get you on campus and get to work. #SwampSquadXIX pic.twitter.com/a6xZIwyAAy
— Dan Mullen (@CoachDanMullen) January 5, 2019
At 6’1.5″, the 187-pound Steele gives immediate star power and depth to the Gators secondary. Previously commited to Southern California, he reopened his recruitment before the 2018 season began. Since then, the major players in his recruitment were Florida, Oregon, USC, and some even speculated that South Carolina was in the fold.
Ron English and Charlton Warren were Steele’s primary contacts for the Gators. But it was Mullen and the family atmosphere that really made an impression.
“It’s just the fact that they produce DB’s. I saw stability at Mississippi State. Coach Mullen gave me his word that he’s not leaving Florida, so I’m big on stability and development.”
Under Dan Mullen and his staff, the 4-star corner will get plenty of both.
🚨🚨🚨4-star CB Chris Steele commits to UF at the All-American Bowl!!!🐊 pic.twitter.com/1ub7mpTrxr
— Bill Sikes (@realbsikes) January 5, 2019