CB Jalyn Crawford Affirms Florida Gators Seat at Leaders Table Post-OV

Cornerback Jalyn Crawford affirmed the Gators' seat at the table atop his recruitment following his official visit to campus as a July commitment date looms.

Parkview High cornerback Jalyn Crawford affirmed the Gators as a top contender for his services following his official visit to Gainesville June 2-4.

Coming into the weekend having only seen a sliver of what the Gators program can offer, after receiving limited attention from the staff in his lone trip to campus in the closing stages of spring practices, Crawford's added time at UF opened his eyes to the potential of playing in orange and blue at the next level.

The relationships with people in the building, facilities at the disposal of Florida athletes and the surrounding city of Gainesville each play a role in his intrigue.

"They've been at the top for me. They're already at the top," he told media shortly after he exited the James W. "Bill" Heavener Football Training Center on Sunday. "They got good people, good facilities, everything's good. It's a nice vibe, me and the coaches, we all get along with each other.

"It was good. I really liked it. My family liked it; everybody liked it. We like it out here."

On the football side, Crawford understands the impact that playing under the most accomplished secondary coach in the nation, Corey Raymond, could have on his career beyond the collegiate level. Having developed an influx of talents for the NFL during his stint at LSU in the 2010s, Raymond's made Florida an attractive option for cornerback and safety talent since he arrived in December 2021 just by his mere presence on the sideline.

He's cashed in by hauling several top-tier pieces in the 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes at both spots while guiding current Gators CB Jason Marshall Jr. toward the 2024 NFL Draft.

Now, Crawford is included among the prospects giving the program a long, hard look.

"Ultimately, I want to get to the league, and they can do that for me, and, you know, they could develop me as a player on and off the field."

Florida head coach Billy Napier further contributes to the Lilburn (Ga.) native's evident liking for UF. Taking a hands-on approach with hopes of luring the talented defensive back, Napier's proved steadfast in his contact with the Georgia native to show the four-star recruit his value as a potential asset for the Gators' secondary.

"We really talk almost every day, so we're always talking," Crawford said regarding his connection with the man at the helm of the Florida program. "He's a nice dude. I mess with Coach Nape."

Crawford will move forward with official visits to Auburn (June 9-11), LSU (June 16-18), North Carolina (June 23-25) and "maybe Miami" over the next few weeks before sitting down to weigh his options. 

"I don't know," he said when asked if he would take more than five officials offered to recruits under new NCAA guidelines effective starting July 1 "because, by the time the season comes in for me, I'll be done, committed."

Accordingly, he targets a July decision date. It's expected he'll choose between the schools he elects to take multi-day stays to this summer.

When asked about the schools alongside Florida at the leader's table, he declined to name the other potential suitors in an effort to keep his cards close to the vest. He did, however, suggest the contenders with seats at that table are still in flux.

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