4-star LB Jamonta Waller de-commits from Florida Gators, flips to Auburn
The Florida Gators on Saturday lost a talented member of the 2024 commitment list when 4-star edge/outside backer Jamonta Waller of Picayune Memorial (Miss.) flipped his pledge to Auburn.
The 6-foot-0.5, 240-pound Waller committed to the Gators in June not long after making an official visit to Gainesville. He is the No. 78 overall recruit nationally for the On3 industry rankings
Florida has viewed him as a Harold Perkins (LSU) type of talent who can play edge or inside backer. Multiple Gators assistants have been involved in this recruitment, including defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, but edge coach Mike Peterson was the one who attended Waller’s game last week in Mississippi.
Waller on Thursday was named the Mr. Football winner for Class 6A, the classification for the second-largest schools in Mississippi.
Wrote the Clarion Ledger: “Waller has recorded 56 total tackles, nine sacks, 19 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one blocked punt. Waller tallied four receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown. Picayune faces Forest Hill in the first round of the 6A playoffs on Friday.”
For Florida, this flip will sting given how highly the staff thinks of Waller.
But fortunately for the Gators, they’ve recruited well at both edge and inside linebacker this recruiting cycle.
In late October, 5-star recruit LJ McCray, committed to Florida. Although he’s listed as a defensive end, the Gators have recruited him to play the edge position, per McCray. Two other Florida commits — 4-stars Kendall Jackson and Amaris Williams — also are expected to play edge.
Meanwhile, Florida has three pure linebackers committed — and each is a 4-star. They are Aaron Chiles, Myles Graham and Adarius Hayes.
The Gators still have a very strong 2024 class
Florida now has 21 commitments. The exact number of recruits the Gators are expected to sign in the 2024 class isn’t known, but we believe they are likely to try to add a handful of players, then save the remaining spots for the transfer portal.
Just last month, Waller made it seem like he was solid to the Gators in an interview with On3’s Chad Simmons.
“I really don’t worry about how a team is currently playing because there’s a reason they’re recruiting me and other top players,” he said. “They hope is that getting individuals like us to help turn the program around. That’s the way I look at things. I’m recruited for a reason and that’s and help the program potentially be its best version of itself.”
