Signing Day Capsule: Aaron Gates signs with Florida, turns down Michigan
Name: Aaron Gates
Class: 2023
Position: Safety
Height/Weight: 6-foot, 180 pounds
Location/School: Sharpsburg (Ga.) Trinity Christian School
Signed with: Florida Gators
On3 Consensus Ranking: No. 30 safety | No. 351 player overall | No. 33 senior in Georgia
On3 NIL Valuation: $23K
Quotable
“They really just wanted me to know they are supporting me and to not rush back from injury (torn ACL) I suffered early in my senior year. They have not blinked or moved at all on how they feel about me. That was their point the whole time, so I really appreciated that.
“I feel like they’ve been committed to me just as much as I’ve been committed to them. That’s kind of what’s led me to stay. If it would have played out any other way, I probably would have de-committed. This staff has really supported me this whole time, this whole journey, and letting me know they want me down there and have a plan for me. That’s what has kept me committed.”
The Gators covet Gates’ versatility in the secondary
As for his projection in Gainesville, Gates says he is being courted to play all over the secondary. That has been the consistent message from Corey Raymond, who served as his lead recruiter with the Gators.
“The vibe, he is kind of like a cool uncle,” Gates said of Raymond. “He is a real smooth dude, real laid back, but he can also get in your face and coach you up good. I saw that when I went down there this spring and watched practice.
“I really just like how he coaches, his style, how he teaches and their whole scheme. We got to sit in and watch that and I really enjoyed it.”
In addition to signing today, Gates will be a mid-year enrollee for the Gators as well.
Stay tuned to Gators Online.
