4-star DL target Vodney Cleveland sets commitment date

It won’t be a long wait to learn who 4-star defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland of Birmingham (Ala.) Parker, a top Florida Gators target, will pick. Cleveland on Monday set his commitment date for June 21.

I have canceled my Miami OV for this weekend and i WILL be committing June 21st.🙏🏿

— Vodney Cleveland (@Vodney_Clev) June 16, 2025

Cleveland, listed at 6-foot-2.5, 305 pounds, is the No. 11 defensive line recruit and No. 120 overall player in the country for the On3 Industry Rankings.

Florida and Texas are considered his top two. He called the Gators his No. 1 program after officially visiting them two weekends ago. But he then talked up the Longhorns on Sunday following his official visit with that program. Right now, Florida is the On3 Recruiting Prediction favorite. However, it could go either way and there apparently is optimism in Austin, Texas.

This is what Cleveland said the final day of his Gators official about UF:

“They stand out way different than anybody else. Florida is still on top. I would say everything about Florida stuck out to me this weekend, from the academics, coaching staff and also the players. Being around these guys in the locker room just feels like home.”

The presence of Florida defensive line coach Gerald Chatman has been vital to the Gators in this recruitment.

“He’s going to coach you hard and get you better,” Cleveland said. “He is still going to love you after, but when the helmets get on and you get on that grass, he’s on you. I’m used to that type of coaching and that’s what I want. If that’s not how you want to be coached, you don’t want to be great.”

Meanwhile, Cleveland also is high on Florida coach Billy Napier.

“I would definitely say Coach Napier and what he’s building here just as a team,” Cleveland said. “Also, what he’s building off the field and making them better young men and as a person.