Former Gators QB Commit Marcus Stokes Signs With West Florida

Quarterback Marcus Stokes, a former Gators commit who had his scholarship withdrawn in November, has signed with West Florida.

Photo: Marcus Stokes; Credit: Zach Goodall

Former Florida class of 2023 quarterback commitment Marcus Stokes committed to and signed with West Florida on Wednesday, National Signing Day. 

Elite 11 Finalist ➡️ UWF

Marcus Stokes is officially an Argo✅#GoArgos | #Arete pic.twitter.com/XuyEnTrJ24

— UWF Football (@UWFFootball) February 1, 2023

Florida withdrew Stokes' verbal scholarship offer on Nov. 20 after a video surfaced on social media of the quarterback uttering a racial slur while singing a rap song. He had been committed to the Gators since July 7.

"I fully accept the consequences for my actions and respect the University of Florida's decision to withdraw my scholarship offer to play football," Stokes wrote on Twitter at the time. 

A product of Ponte Vedra (Fla.) Nease, Stokes has accounted for 1,867 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 54.8% completion during his senior campaign, also rushing for 13 touchdowns. He tossed for 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions the season prior.

He received his first scholarship offer following the incident from Albany State University, an HBCU in Georgia, on Jan. 24. Head coach Quinn Gray Sr. released a statement on Jan. 27 apologizing for the action, however, although he did not suggest whether the offer had been retracted or not. 

Alabama A&M, a Division 1 HBCU, followed Albany State's initial suit by presenting an offer on Jan. 26. He visited West Florida the next day, Jan. 27.

As for Florida, it officially lost another 2023 quarterback commit in Jaden Rashada when his request to be released from his signed National Letter of Intent was granted as a result of a collapsed Name, Image and Likeness agreement. 

The Gators have brought in quarterbacks Graham Mertz (Wisconsin transfer), Parker Leise (walk-on recruit) and Jordan Gile (walk-on recruit) to close out the class of 2023.

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