Gators DB Target Gregory Smith III Updates Recruitment Following Visit

Gregory Smith recently announced a final six of Florida, USF, Ole Miss, Toledo, Virginia and Vanderbilt with a commitment date of December 13.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Less than a week after announcing his top six schools, four-star defensive back Gregory Smith III took his final official visit of the year to Florida and gave an update regarding his recruitment. 

"It was interesting. I've been here a few times. So it was just a small things that stood out to me," Smith told All Gators on Sunday. "[We] went over the academics. The sports part is always interesting, being around the players. I love it." 

As Smith begins to take the final steps of his recruitment, this weekend being his final official visit, he spoke on the love Florida has shown him throughout the process.

"When Florida first was interested in me, they started throwing love quick, and I love that about them," he said. "I got to notice that really quick for the first two weeks, and it's not really that far and things like that. So every chance I get, they've invited me up here."

The Riverview, Fla. prospect recently announced a final six of Florida, USF, Ole Miss, Toledo, Virginia and Vanderbilt with a commitment date of December 13. However, he told All Gators he's now down to three schools and may push his commitment date back. He did not reveal what those schools were.

Smith also shared that he has a good idea of where he could end up for college, but he wants to finalize the decision with his family before announcing. 

"I know what school, but I want to get it finalized with my family and things like that," he said.

Smith III also confirmed Florida's reportedly imminent hiring of Los Angeles Chargers assistant Will Harris as the program's new defensive backs coach, replacing the outgoing Corey Raymond. Smith plans to meet Harris this week.

"[Harris] should be coming by sometime this week to see me," Smith acknowledged. "I know a lot of things about him, but I should be getting to know him throughout the week."

Since Raymond's departure, Smith's recruitment was largely in the hands of defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong and quality control assistant CJ Wilford. 

"I built a good relationship with all three of them before and then coach Armstrong, me and him finally came along getting on the same page," he said. "Coach Raymond and him moving on, it's just about business. It happens. Things happen like that."

Smith also explained that his visit was very film-oriented regarding what position would fit him the best. 

"I can be free [safety], weak [safety], STAR [cornerback]," he said. "So I'm really playing around a whole defense, corner a little bit. So, I'm going to be able to know the whole defense."

Smith's potential commitment to the Gators would help fill a position of need at defensive back. Florida's 2024 defensive back class currently includes the commitments of five-star safety Xavier Filsaime, safety Josiah Davis and corner Teddy Foster. 

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