Just When the Gators Thought They Had Him—The First Academy’s Devin Jackson Pulls the Plug on Florida Commitment….

Just When the Gators Thought They Had Him—The First Academy’s Devin Jackson Pulls the Plug on Florida Commitment….

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — April 24, 2025 — In a stunning turn of events that sent shockwaves through the Florida Gators’ 2026 recruiting class, The First Academy defensive back Devin Jackson officially decommitted from the program on Thursday morning. The announcement, first reported by recruiting insider Hayes Fawcett via X, leaves Florida with just two pledged prospects in their current cycle and throws their secondary plans into sudden flux  .

“It’s just the right decision for me right now,” Jackson told On3’s Chad Simmons, underscoring that the move was driven by his desire to reassess all opportunities before making a final college choice  . The 6-foot-2, 195-pound safety from Winter Garden, Fla., had originally pledged to Florida last July, choosing the Gators over Power 4 suitors including UCF, Georgia, Missouri and LSU  .

A Rising Star Reconsiders

Rated as a three-star prospect by On3 and 247Sports—and as high as four-star in some state evaluations—Jackson’s athletic profile has only grown since his fall commitment. He boasts a sub-4.55 40-yard dash, versatility to play multiple spots in the defensive backfield, and a reputation for dynamic special-teams contributions. During his junior season with the Royals, Jackson recorded 80 total tackles, four interceptions and seven pass break-ups, stats that fueled a surge of more than 45 scholarship offers from top programs nationwide  .

Florida’s recruiting staff had heralded Jackson as a cornerstone of their secondary rebuild under safeties coach Vinnie Sunseri. Sunseri—who emphasized at spring camp that he prioritizes “size, speed…and the ability to get people lined up and communicate in the back end”—now faces the challenge of replenishing a dearth of commitments in his room  . With Jackson’s departure, the Gators must pivot quickly if they hope to close the gap behind early commits quarterback Will Griffin and linebacker Izayia Williams.

Coaching Carousel Adds to Uncertainty

Jackson’s decision follows this offseason’s notable coaching turnover. Defensive backs coach Will Harris—instrumental in Jackson’s initial recruitment—departed Florida for a position at Miami, a move Jackson has publicly admired. “I’m feeling great because I and Coach Harris already had a relationship, and we’re still building on it,” Jackson said during a visit to Coral Gables in March, hinting that the Hurricanes remain in strong contention  .

His comment underscores a broader trend in today’s transfer-and-recruitment era: recruits often follow trusted position coaches to their new homes, leveraging relationships over institutional loyalty. Florida’s staff must now rebuild rapport with Jackson—or find replacement talent who fit Sunseri’s blueprint of communication, open-field tackling and deep-ball playmaking.

The Road Ahead: Official Visits Loom Large

Despite withdrawing his pledge, Jackson has not closed the door on Gainesville entirely. Reports indicate he has scheduled an official visit to Florida the weekend of June 13, joining trips already planned to LSU (May 30), Miami (June 6) and Nebraska (June 20)  . Each stop promises to be a high-stakes affair: Miami will press its advantage of Harris’s presence, while LSU and Nebraska will showcase their defensive traditions and upcoming schemes.

On the flip side, Florida remains in Jackson’s recruitment picture by virtue of campus allure, NIL possibilities, and the opportunity to compete in the SEC’s secondary. Yet as Jackson explores other options, the Gators must quickly re-establish the competitive edge that convinced him to commit last summer.

Broader Implications for the Gators’ Class

Jackson’s decommitment leaves Florida with just two commits in a cycle that once projected to rank among the nation’s best. As of April 17, only Griffin and Williams remained locked in—an unexpected drought for a program accustomed to annual top-15 recruiting hauls  . The timing is particularly painful: with June’s evaluation periods approaching, many top prospects will soon make binding decisions.

To counteract this setback, Florida’s staff is intensifying contact with alternative targets. One name already gaining traction is Hartfield Academy safety Bralan Womack, a five-star prospect from Flowood, Miss., who has Florida in his final four and mirrors Jackson’s blend of size and instincts  . Whether Sunseri can pivot that relationship into a commitment will be one of the Gators’ most monitored recruiting storylines this spring.

Jackson’s Next Chapter

For Jackson, the decommitment represents both relief and renewed scrutiny. While releasing himself from a high-pressure pledge, he now assumes the mantle of one of the most sought-after safeties in the 2026 class. With over 45 offers still on the table—including programs like North Carolina, Baylor and Oregon—he enters the summer evaluation period with leverage  .

Analysts expect Jackson’s recruitment to hinge on a combination of program fit, coaching relationships, and immediate playing opportunities. Whether he ultimately circles back to Florida—or opts for a fresh start elsewhere—his decision will reverberate not only in Gainesville but across the broader landscape of college football’s defensive recruiting.

What Comes Next for the Gators

As spring drills give way to summer visits, Florida’s recruiting staff faces an urgent imperative: replace Jackson’s talent and recalibrate the class’s trajectory. With the SEC’s secondary depth at stake and rivals primed to capitalize, Florida’s 2026 aspirations now hinge on swift strategic adjustments and renewed momentum on the trail.

Fans, boosters and analysts will be watching closely when Jackson—and other top prospects—descend on Gainesville this June. And just as the Gators believed they had secured their star safety, Jackson’s departure serves as a stark reminder that in today’s game of shifting allegiances, the only constant is change.