Florida r Former Alabama Signee, DB Jameer Grimsley

Florida’s 2024 recruiting class just received a considerable boost in the secondary.

Florida Gators Land Former Alabama Signee, DB Jameer Grimsley - Sports Illustrated Florida Gators News, Analysis and More

The retirement of revered Alabama head coach Nick Saban sent a shockwave that continues to reverberate across the college football landscape. Particularly, despite the expedited hiring of Washington’s Kalen DaBoer as Saban’s replacement, the Crimson Tide have realized an unequivocal exodus of high-level talent through the transfer portal over the past week.

Freshman cornerback Jameer Grimsley joined the mix of star-studded players to depart from the program as the 2024 prospect entered the portal on Thursday.

His return to the open market just under a month removed from his Dec. 20 signing with the Tide was short-lived, though, as Grimsley quickly announced his commitment to the Florida Gators, doing so on Sunday.

Possessing an impressive 6-foot-3, 185-pound stature, ball skills — derived from his time as a wide receiver — movement fluidity and 10.84 100-meter dash speed needed to occupy a boundary cornerback spot at the next level, Grimsely positioned himself as a priority target for the Gators throughout the 2024 cycle.

So, as Florida aimed to acquire secondary talent in 2024, Grimsley notably stood out.

Committing to Alabama to fill a wideout spot soon after Florida’s uptick in interest began, Grimsley still flirted with the Gators until the end of the cycle. His interest in UF was genuine — illustrated by his Dec. 8 official visit to Gainesville — but he ultimately chose to stick with the Crimson Tide. He memorably hung his hat on coaching staff stability as the deciding factor.

Then, Saban unexpectedly retired.

Grimsley accordingly reevaluated his options. It leads him to the University of Florida, where the four-star athlete will play on the defensive side of the ball.

The Tampa (Fla.) Catholic standout is the first prep secondary addition under new position coach Will Harris. He joins Teddy Foster, Josiah Davis and Gregory Smith III as true freshmen in the Gators’ backend. Florida has also added transfer portal prospects Trikweze Bridges (Oregon) and DJ Douglas (Tulane) to the room this offseason.

Grimsley is considered the nation’s No. 17 cornerback and No. 189 overall prospect according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

He’s the second class of 2024 prospect who signed elsewhere to ultimately align with Florida. Defensive lineman D’antre Robinson, who inked with Texas in December, committed to the Gators on Friday after being released from his Letter of Intent earlier in the week.

Florida r Former Alabama Signee, DB Jameer Grimsley

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