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- Ranking Florida’s chances with the June official visitors on defense
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- Early Entree Review: Westphal remains focused despite coaching change
On Wednesday Florida received its ninth commitment of the cycle when Brewton (Ala.) TR Miller three-star linebacker Myles Johnson went public with his pledge to the Gators.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder originally committed to Alabama last fall after the Tide offered him in the summer of 2023. However, he was injured late last summer. When Nick Saban left UA and the new staff took over in Tuscaloosa, contact between parties dropped off significantly, leading Johnson to decommit earlier this month.
Inside the Gators caught up with Johnson to discuss why he chose the Gators, his injury status, and his plans going forward.
QUICK Q&A
Walk us through your commitment to Florida.
I committed on July 1st. I talked to Coach [Ron] Roberts and he was pumped up. He really let me know that the whole staff believes in me and they want me to be their guy.
Why Florida? What made you want to commit to the Gators?
Really, you have top-of-the-line resources from every aspect of the staff as well as academics. Florida has everything, plus more that you need to be successful and I want to take advantage of that.
Just to update the Gator Nation, what was the exact injury you suffered, when did it happen, and when will you return to 100%?
I had ACL reconstruction on my left knee. It happened at the beginning of August 2023. I am fully cleared and ready to go!
The question now is where do you stand as far as coming back after missing last season?
I have a really high expectation for myself. I know that I put in the work to be better than I was before the injury and I just thank God for giving me the grace to prove myself again.
With Alabama sort of falling off on you, does that put a chip on your shoulder? Do you feel like you have something to prove?
I will definitely keep it stored away in my mind as extra motivation to show everyone what I have to offer.
You were offered by Alabama and will be one of the last prospects ever that Nick Saban accepted a commitment from. The fact that he believed in you, the fact that you hold that distinction, what does that mean to you?
It means a lot. It also has kept me confident in this whole situation. It also excites me that Coach [Billy] Napier practices a lot of the same stuff that Coach Saban practiced during his time at Alabama.
When will you return to Florida?
For the cookout later this month [July 27].
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