is florida too big of a football state for fsu, florida, or miami to lock it down from other big school taking its athletes?
12 Florida natives defected to Georgia, including one of the stars of the semifinal. Why?
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Part II of our series: How did the Gators, Seminoles and Hurricanes go from Big Three to broken?
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one of a dozen Bulldogs who defected from Florida to Georgia. Five others participated in Saturday’s Peach Bowl semifinal, including starting receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (Pompano Beach), leading rusher Kenny McIntosh (Fort Lauderdale) and elite NFL draft prospect Jalen Carter (Apopka).
The trend isn’t slowing down. In the 2023 recruiting class, Georgia signed five native Floridians who were ranked among the nation’s top 100 prospects. The Gators, Seminoles and Hurricanes combined to sign four (excluding five-star cornerback Cormani McClain, a Miami commit who remains unsigned).
Since the state’s last national championship (2013 FSU), 17 Floridians have started for title teams elsewhere.
Georgia’s title hopes began to turn in January with a blocked field goal by five-star defensive lineman Jalen Carter (Apopka High) followed by a 67-yard run by top-50 recruit James Cook (Miami Central).
The steady talent leak has multiple sources. Coaches either didn’t or couldn’t connect well enough in the state (wrong people). Facilities fell behind, and perpetual turnover severed relationships between staffs and prospects (wrong approach). Social media and recruiting sites made it easier to find talent nationally, while easier travel and more televised/streamed games lessened the incentive to stay close to home — especially as neighboring powers like Alabama and Georgia improved (wrong time).
