Four-star cornerback Sharif Denson makes the call for the Florida Gators
The University of Florida just landed its fourth commitment over the last eight days, as four-star defensive back Sharif Denson announced his commitment to Billy Napier’s program.
Denson, a product of Jacksonville (Fla.) Bartram Trail, is the No. 23 cornerback and No. 196 prospect overall. That is according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
The Sunshine State native is also a legacy recruit, as both of his parents attended the Gainesville-based university as well. Gators Online submitted an On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine pick on May 29.
Texas A&M, Ohio State, Florida State, Miami and South Carolina were additional finalists.
“The constant love from the whole staff. You can’t beat that. They’re at a good little spot right now,” Denson recently told GO’s Donavon Keiser.
“Coach Toney and Corey Raymond are top-tier coaches and will develop me to be an NFL DB. Also, Florida has been my dream school growing up.”
Although it was by the previous staff, Denson has been getting recruited by the Gators since his freshman year. That is when Dan Mullen’s staff awarded him a scholarship offer. He has been on campus a countless amount of times and certainly knows the ins and outs of both the program and university.
Denson’s most recent trip to the Swamp took place on June 24.
“It is always good. I’m getting more familiar with the place, the area and the buildings,” Denson said of his most recent visit to Florida.
Patrick Toney is serving as Denson’s point man
“It is always good to be around coach PT. That’s my guy for real,” Denson said. “He had a little presentation in there after we toured the building. We went to the meeting room and he had put together some clips that I had and just some things that he thought I could get better at just to give me a little snapshot of what he could do for me.
“PT is trying to get me bad. He does everything above and beyond, for real. No DC is doing what he is doing for me.”
As expected, cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond is playing a pivotal role in UF’s pursuit as well.
“He’s texting me all the time. We’re cool. We definitely still need to build our relationship more, like, me and coach Toney are closer. Coach Raymond is definitely a good coach and a guy that is showing interest in me.”
A major appeal for the Gators is Denson’s versatility. Much can change between now and when the defensive back enrolls on campus, but the plan is to split time between nickel and cornerback.
“When I first came for the visit, we sat in a room and I put my clips up. He put clips up of guys that played the same position,” Denson said of Raymond. “He said I’m going to play STAR, but I’ll be an outside corner as well. They like my versatility in the slot, so they’ll move me back and forth.”
With the addition of Denson, the Gators now hold commitments from multiple defensive backs, as fellow four-star prospect Aaron Gates is part of the class as well.
Nine prospects currently make up UF’s 2023 recruiting haul.
Stay tuned to Gators Online.
