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Florida HC Billy Napier visits elite 2025 defensive back Hylton Stubbs

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by: Keegan Pope01/19/24bykeeganpope
Hylton Stubbs
Chad Simmons/On3

Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin four-star safety Hylton Stubbs is one of Florida’s highest-priority targets in the 2025 class.

Florida State, Georgia, Alabama and USC are some additional schools in the mix, but Stubbs has been high on the Gators a while, even with the departure of secondary coach Corey Raymond last month.

On Friday, the Gators paid him a visit, led by head coach Billy Napier, defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong and new cornerbacks coach Will Harris.

Gators stand atop Stubbs’ recruitment

Even with the upheaval in Gainesville over the past few months, Florida still sits at the top for Stubbs, one of the nation’s top defensive backs.

“They’re still my leader,” Stubbs said of UF when speaking with Gators Online’s Keith Niebuhr. “Playing early, definitely playing early, and the connections I’ve made over the times I’ve been here (stand out).

… I feel like the Florida coaches are the coaches I’m most comfortable around right now. Really, the connections and they are also the No. 1 public school.”

He has also connected well with Harris, who comes with NFL experience to Florida’ staff.

“He’s a great dude. He seems like a very down-to-earth coach,” Stubbs said. “He’s got a great resume on him and I feel like he’s going to make Florida’s DBs look real good this year.”

Although It’s still very early in the cycle for 2025 recruits, Stubbs told GatorsOnline last weekend and again Friday that a commitment decision will come in the very near future.

“I think my commitment will come in the next couple of months,” he said.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder is the No. 49 overall prospect in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the nation’s No. 4 safety and No. 6 recruit in Florida.