Alabama cornerback transfer Jameer Grimsley commits to Florida: 'Now I get to play for my dream school'

Alabama cornerback signee Jameer Grimsley has committed to Florida out of the NCAA transfer portal, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

Florida had been one of Grimsley’s finalists before he ultimately signed with Alabama this winter, but Grimsley decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal when Nick Saban retired and Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer took over.

“It has been crazy. I never thought I would be in this position,” Grimsley told On3. “I was in shock and kind of upset. But things happen. I went to Alabama to play for Coach Saban and T-Rob and they are not there anymore. It was tough.”

Grimsley was a high-profile recruit, one who caused some hand-wringing initially at Florida when he picked Alabama. Now it won’t matter.

“This was all God’s plan. Everything happened for a reason,” Grimsley said. “The way it was set up was meant to be. Now I get to play for my dream school. Florida is a great school, I am from Florida and I am committing to a school I feel good about.

“Now, you have to commit to a school, not a coach. You have to love the school.”

He was a four-star prospect in the On3 Industry Rankings and rated as the No. 157 overall player for the 2024 cycle. Grimsley was also the No. 22 cornerback and the No. 22 prospect out of Florida for his class. The Gators made a significant push down the stretch in Grimsley’s recruitment.

“I have been to Florida a lot,” Grimsley said. “I like Coach Napier a lot and he is working to bring the program back to where it needs to be. He is a good dude. At Florida, I trust the staff can develop me. I just want to be the best I can be and I feel I can be that at Florida.”