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Florida Gators flip 4-star DB Hylton Stubbs from Miami

On3 imageby:Keith Niebuhr•12/02/24•

On3Keith

Hylton Stubbs
Hylton Stubbs (Keith Niebuhr/ On3)

For the Florida Gators, the third Hylton Stubbs‘ commitment was the charm.

After having previously been committed to Miami and Southern California, the 4-star safety from Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin has flipped from the Hurricanes to the Gators in a recruiting stunner that will send shockwaves throughout the Sunshine State.

“After an amazing visit to the University of Florida (Sunday), I have decided to de-commit from Miami and commit to the Gators,” Stubbs sent Gators Online via DM. “The main reason for this decision is my belief in the football program and the incredible opportunity to compete for a national championship. Coach (Billy) Napier’s vision, leadership, and genuine approach stood out to me, and I’m confident he’s building something special in Gainesville. I’m excited to play for a coach who prioritizes development both on and off the field. Go Gators!”

National Signing day is Wednesday.

Stubbs, listed at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, is the No. 4 safety and No. 58 overall recruit nationally in the On3 Industry Rankings. He had been the highest-ranked player in the Miami recruiting class. Stubbs committed to the Hurricanes on July 4

At Mandarin, he was teammates with 4-star Florida quarterback commit Tramell Jones. Jones flipped to the Gators from FSU on Nov. 17. Stubbs officially visited Florida in June — and raved about the experience. He was a USC commit at the time.

“It was great. I’m loving Florida and I’m loving everything about it,” Stubbs said at the time. “This OV was amazing. It was 1-of-1. I loved everything about the visit. Whatstood out for me were the players. It was me building that relationship with the players. I talked with them a lot. Usually when you visit, you don’t get to build that connection with the players. I built a real connection with the players and really liked what they said about me. I also like what they are feeling right now with Florida.”

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Soon after that visit, Stubbs de-committed from the Trojans and there was optimism in Gainesville. But three weeks later, he committed to the Hurricanes. Throughout the season, there hadn’t been any buzz about Stubbs and the Gators.

But quietly, Florida — led by Napier, defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong and secondary coach Will Harris — continued to recruit him. And when Jones joined the class, the Gators then had another person close to Stubbs in his ear. Now, Stubbs will join his teammate in Gainesville.

Stubbs becomes Florida’s lone safety commit in the 2025 class. He is the Gators’ third top-100 recruit for the On3 Industry Rankings. You can find the complete Florida Gators commitment list HERE.

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