Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- Initial Impression: Early Entry Freshmen
- Initial Impression: Five transfers
- Watch: A behind the scenes look at a Florida unofficial visit
- Commitment Burn Barometer
- 10 Most Wanted: Florida’s Top 10 Targets
- O&B Board: Spring Practice Observations
- O&B Board: List of injured Florida football players
- Watch: DJ Lagway limited this spring
- Mock Signing Class 1.0
- Pre-Spring Ranking of Florida position-by-position
- 15 Pre-Spring Class of 2026 Out-of-State Names to Know
- 20 Pre-Spring Class of 2026 In-State Names to Know
- Impact Analysis: Where Florida Football Signees Come From
On signing day 2007, then Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer made an astonishing admission. To put the finishing touches on what would be the top-ranked class in the nation, he wanted/needed to add a safety. While most coaches go out of their way to downplay the significance of recruiting services and rankings, he went in the opposite direction. He openly admitted that he began his search by looking at the Rivals100, while referring to himself as a dot.com guy.
What his search turned up was four-star, Top 50 safety Jerimy Finch out of Indiana. He was a that time committed to the hometown Hoosiers, but had just spent some time in the Sunshine State for the Under Armour Bowl.
UF contacted him, got him on campus, offered, and the rest is history.
Now, 18 years later, his namesake, Indianapolis (Ind.) Warren Central three-star defensive end JJ Finch was offered by Florida at the conclusion of Saturday’s practice.
The 6-foot-3, 260-pounder explained how the offer took place.
“I was asked to stay after the practice to meet with Coach [Billy] Napier,” said Finch. “So, I was standing on the field waiting my turn and made a joke to my grandma that they were saving the best for last, as I was the last recruit waiting to meet and talk with him. I was really excited to receive the offer. I didn’t know if it was going to happen or not.”
While the offer was first on his list of highlights, Finch also said that one other thing stood out to him as well. “Being in the meetings with the players and coaches.”
Speaking of coaches, besides his meeting with Coach Napier, he said he spent a lot of time with Florida Edge coach Mike Peterson.
“I talked with Coach P one-on-one the most – and of course Coach Napier. They both said they liked what they saw on my film and how I would fit in their schemes.”
Finch, who has, of course, heard plenty about the Gators from his father, said that his dad was excited about the offer.
“He congratulated me and was excited for me.”
On the recruiting front, Finch has yet to release a leaderboard, but he said that there are programs that are starting to separate from the pack.
“I don’t have a top five or whatever, just yet. I have some that are high on my list. UF is up there.”
While he may not be ready to name favorites, a look at his official visit list may provide a bit of a clue.
When asked what his official visit schedule was, Finch replied, “Bama on May 30th, Florida on June 6th, and Tennessee on June 13th.”
Finch is the No. 461 rated prospect in the nation according to the On3 Industry Composite.
1 comment