Florida Football: 5 early signees who’ll have instant impact in 2019
By Dana Becker
Year No. 1 under Dan Mullen went pretty well for Florida football, but even more could be in store in 2019 thanks to a number of early signees.
Florida went 9-3 this past regular season, including a 5-3 mark in the SEC. That was good enough for a No. 10 ranking and spot in the upcoming Peach Bowl opposite Michigan.
On the first day of the early signing period Wednesday, the Gators made an impact on both sides of the ball, inking a number of top-rated players who are sure to make an impact in 2019 and beyond.
That includes quarterback Jalon Jones, running back Nay’Quan Wright, wide receiver Dionte Marks, defensive back Jaydon Hill and athlete Trent Whittemore.
Here’s a look at those five early signings that could make an impact in 2019 for Florida:
Everybody loves to sign a top-flight quarterback. And while Florida is pretty set at the position, there is no issue with having depth in college at the moment at the “money spot.”
Jalon Jones comes to Gainesville after a standout career at Henrico High School in Richmond, Virginia. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 204 pounds, Jones returned home after spending his junior season in Baltimore at St. Francis High School.
While at St. Francis, Jones led his team to a Top-25 ranking in the USA Today Super 25, passing for just over 1,000 yards with 11 touchdowns. He also ran for another 819 and found the end zone nine times.
To say Jones comes from an athletic family would be an understatement. His sister, Jocelyn, currently plays basketball at North Carolina. Mom, Tanya Hughes, was a high jumper who placed 11th at the 1992 Supper Olympics and was a four-time NCAA champion at Arizona, while dad, Michael Jones, was captain of the Colorado football team that claimed a national title in 1990.
Jones picked the Gators and Dan Mullen over Alabama, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Tennessee.