4-star LB Jamonta Waller commits to Florida Gators
Picayune (Miss.) Picayune Memorial four-star linebacker Jamonta Waller had interest and offers from across the Southeastern Conference — and even the country.
But there was something special about Florida. He liked the Gators from the first time he visited, and his trip to Gainesville this weekend sealed the deal. On Monday, he announced his commitment to UF.
“It was very close, it just came down to the people,” he told On3. “I’m very big on who I’ll be around. And there, they made me feel like a priority.”
He chose the Gators over a group of top schools that included Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Penn State, Tennessee and Texas A&M, but ultimately it came down to the Gators, Nittany Lions and Auburn.
Waller didn’t initially plan to come off the board this quickly, but he knew he was in the right place over the weekend and wanted to lock it in.
“I didn’t think I was going to be committing this soon, but I feel like it’s the best thing for me. I can lock in on my season and relieve from stressful. The recruiting can get stressful sometimes.
… I was feeling good about Florida because they gave off a good impression the first time I visited there. And that’s how they got the OV. They just made me feel wanted and like I was a top priority for them and I’m needed there. That’s really what it took it over the top.”
I’m not used to losing and seeing those guys [who committed], they’re on the same page as me. They want to get the Swamp back to where it used to be. And I thought that was pretty cool.
Jamonta Waller is ready to bring championships to Florida
The 6-foot, 230-pounder is the No. 61 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 7 linebacker and the No. 2 recruit in Mississippi.
He was surrounded by other talented prospects this weekend, including five who have committed to the Gators in the last 48 hours. Being around them and getting to see what they brought to the table only made him more sure of his decision.
“You know, I don’t like losing and so seeing the type of guys they are, they’re on the same page as me. They want to get the Swamp back to where it used to be. I thought they was pretty cool.
His longstanding relationship with defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong was also a key factor.
“I first met Coach (Austin) Armstrong when he was at Southern Miss and we’ve had a special relationship since,” he told On3 in May. “Going all the way back there, he’s been saying the same things about me and that it’s a must for him to coach me.”
Waller joins a Gators class that currently ranks No. 3 nationally in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.