CB Justin Denson Jr. Details Gators Inclusion in Top 12

Florida landed in the top 12 for cornerback Justin Denson Jr. on Sunday. He shared his reasoning for the program's inclusion Tuesday.

Florida Gators secondary coach Corey Raymond is actively searching for multiple boundary cornerback prospects to reel in during the 2024 class. 

He's already stacked two high-upside safety prospects in Xavier Filsaime and Josiah Davis and is expected to continue his hot streak on the trail heading into the summer months as UF trends for several highly touted third-level defenders.

On Sunday, the Gators took another step in that direction as Providence (R.I.) cornerback prospect Justin Denson Jr. released his top 12 schools list. He labeled Florida alongside Arkansas, Colorado, Florida State, Maryland, Miami, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

After a lot of thought and consideration I feel that these 12 schools have showed me and my family the most love and hospitality! My recruitment is still 100% open but these are the schools I’ll be focusing on ! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM ❤️🤞🏾 @EboniCatala @JoeMento @MarconeGeoff pic.twitter.com/GcXjXr5pJa

— Justin “The slim reaper” Denson Jr. ✞ (@Jetdenson) May 14, 2023

However, Florida sits higher on the list than merely within the wide net of the top 12 he cast on Mother's Day, namely due to the relationships he and his family are building with the coaching personnel repping orange and blue.

"They're not only just recruiting me, they're recruiting my family and my loved ones," Denson told All Gators when asked about his reasoning for including Florida.

"Plus, CRay," he continued.

The secondary coach has commanded significant pull in the recruiting department since he arrived in Gainesville last offseason. 

As Denson's primary recruiter, the well-established Raymond once again serves as a significant drawing factor for secondary talent and will continue to be such as the Gators' attempt to secure a pledge from the talented cover corner in the coming months.

"We talk every day. It means everything, like more than everything," he said about the bond the two have forged. "His resume with sending DBs to the NFL, making legends, developing three, four-star guys, guiding them, teaching them how to get to the league, like what they need to do. That's what I love the most."

Beyond his developmental resume, Raymond's reliability and laid-back nature are comforting aspects of his recruitment approach. It's helped win Denson over thus far.

"He's such a normal guy. He's like my uncle, like the way he is and the way he talks, the way he acts, the way he coaches, it's all so real."

Billy Napier, who's taken a hands-on approach during the team's recruitment efforts with the northeastern prospect, has also proven persuasive.

The on-campus conversation with the Gators' head coach nearly led him to commit during his April 6 stay. But, despite leaving with his recruitment still open, the lasting impression Florida made has stuck with him as he's continued forward in his search for a home of the future.

As a result, UF sits in the upper echelon of programs in contention.

"If I were to drop a top three today, Florida would be in it," he shared. "They're right at the top."

Michigan State is another school firmly atop the race for his services.

Denson is scheduled to officially visit Florida, Miami and Michigan State over the summer, with other trips on the horizon, potentially, as he plans to cut the contenders to five on June 18.

Those treks give him a final opportunity to gauge the bevy of factors in picking a college, including "development, playtime, a school that's gonna care about me when I'm not playing football, accessibility for my family to come watch me play and living situation."

It will also provide his mother, Eboni Catala, — who he said is playing a "huge role" in his recruitment — the chance to get a close look at the program vying heavily for her son's talents.

"Well, I've only been to one school with my mom, and that was Michigan State," he said. "So, I want my mom to get to meet all the coaches in person, look at the city, see if she thinks she can feel safe leaving me there and stuff like that."

Denson aims to announce his pledge soon thereafter, setting a loose timeline for the end of June, although no date is currently marked for his commitment.

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