After accessing the transfer portal, the Gators acquire a former target.
Every year, the college coaching roller coaster gets wilder. The Florida Gators were able to capitalize on the unusual offseason this year by adding a four-star talent to the 2024 class late. Nick Saban left his position as Alabama’s head coach earlier this month after 17 seasons in that role. The Crimson Tide now have a new head coach in charge.
As a result, a number of their players’ names have recently appeared on the NCAA Transfer Portal. Along with that, after all the changes in Tuscaloosa, Jameer Grimsley, a four-star defensive back from Tampa (Fla.) Catholic, joined the NCAA Transfer Portal and was picked up by the Florida Gators. Grimsley changed his direction after enrolling and even participating in bowl game workouts with the squad in January due to all the changes occurring in Tuscaloosa. He will now stay in Gainesville to pursue his academic and athletic careers.
This past summer, Grimsley committed to Alabama over Florida and Michigan, and the Gators came in second. Even though they had made that verbal commitment at the beginning of the season, the Gators persisted in trying to flip him throughout the season. He was there at the Gators’ games against Florida State and Georgia this past season in Jacksonville. Before signing day in December, he paid the program an official visit as well. On January 18, he made use of the 30-day window that Alabama players were given to use the NCAA Transfer Portal following the coaching change.
Although Grimsley was hired, new secondary coach Will Harris also pursued him after former defensive back coach Corey Raymond had recruited him. Billy Napier, the head coach, was also actively involved in the hunt for Grimsley at every stage. Throughout their pursuit of Grimsley as a prospect, Napier consistently conveyed the notion that he is the kind of player the team needs.
“I am a priority, and they need guys to come to Florida to try and restore it to its former state,” he said. winning the SEC and going after national titles. That’s what he’s attempting to recover. He believes I can contribute to something exceptional.”
Grimsley does not count toward Florida’s 2024 recruiting class even though he was a 2024 recruit who entered his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal and was not released from his Letter of Intent. That being stated, he is the team’s tenth transfer-added addition. Alongside him are former defensive lineman Joey Slackman from Penn, linebacker Grayson Howard from South Carolina, defensive back Trikweze Bridges from Oregon, wide receiver Chimere Dike from Wisconsin, offensive lineman Devon Manuel from Arkansas, offensive lineman Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson from San Diego State, edge George Gumbs from Northern Illinois, quarterback Clay Millen from Colorado State, and defensive back DJ Douglas from Tulane.
Grimsley is presently listed as the nation’s No. 189 overall talent in the 2024 recruiting class and the No. 17 ranked cornerback in the same class according to the industry-generated average, 247Sports Composite.
