4-Star WR Jerrae Hawkins commits to Florida Gators: 'The vibe was right for me'

Florida and Penn State made the final two for Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star wide receiver Jerrae Hawkins. The Gators offered Hawkins when he moved to the Sunshine State this year and have recruited him hard ever since.

The early efforts of head coach Billy Napier and his staff made Florida the top school for Hawkins. On Monday, he made that feeling known by committing to the Gators.

“I really knew on my official visit that Florida could be the school,” Hawkins told On3. “The vibe was right for me. The players were cool. I like the coaches. It just felt like the move I should make.”

Hawkins felt important to Florida by the way the program recruited him. He built multiple connections in Gainesville, including with wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales.

“They showed me guys that they’ve coached that were just like me,” Hawkins previously told Gators Online. “Coach Napier, he said I remind him a little bit of Jaylen Waddle. Billy G was saying (Kadarius) Toney… I like that. They get me in space. I was talking to the players, like with Ricky (Pearsall). He was averaging like 20 yards a catch. That’s definitely getting the ball down the field.”

Hawkins felt like a priority to Florida

The 5-foot-9, 160-pound wideout thought about committing to Florida after his official visit on the weekend of June 10. However, the No. 35 player in Florida knew he would choose the Gators after taking an official to Penn State two weeks later.

“Right after my official visit to Penn State ended, I knew I was ready,” said Hawkins, the No. 233 overall prospect and No. 38 wide receiver in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking. “It just wasn’t the same feeling I had at Florida. Penn State is a great school, but Florida is where my heart is. There was no reason for me to wait any longer.”

Hawkins let multiple coaches know about his decision on June 25, including Gonzales and Napier. According to the four-star, they “were excited and they welcomed me in.”

Following Hawkins’ commitment, Florida’s 2024 recruiting class now contains 17 players and ranks No. 3 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, as well as No. 2 in the SEC. Hawkins is excited to play at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the Gators, who have landed 10 pledges this month.

“The reasons I picked Florida outside of how they recruited me and the atmosphere was the offense, how they would use me in it and the fans,” Hawkins said. “I love the fans at Florida. They are crazy and it will be great to play in front of them.”