Elite 2022 CB Sam McCall Commits to the Florida Gators

Florida kicks off the 2022 class strong, adding a standout Lakeland athlete who can play both ways.

The Florida Gators have earned a verbal pledge from top 2022 cornerback/athlete Sam McCall of Lake Gibson High School (Lakeland, Fla.), over the likes of Alabama, Oklahoma, and Florida State. 

McCall has been recruited by Florida since April 2019, and has often made waves for rocking Florida gear and colors publicly and across social media ever since. Nearly two weeks ago, McCall could be seen rocking UF clothing from head-to-toe following a Lake Gibson game.

#Gators Safety targets Sam McCall and Jyvonte McClendon after their 62-6 victory over Gateway this evening. McCall decked out in Florida gear. pic.twitter.com/8XX3pKx9J5

— CONNER (@ConnerClarke) October 17, 2020

pic.twitter.com/Nbn8RilhBU

— JOKER🃏 (@alabama313) July 25, 2020

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound junior has visited the Gators multiple times, making the two hour trip to Gainesville from the Lakeland area. McCall most recently visited for junior day on March 7th, which was his last visit before recruiting was shut down by the NCAA amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Although he is listed as an athlete by numerous services, the Gators are looking to put McCall in the secondary, as he has been recruited hard by area recruiter and cornerbacks coach Torrian Gray. Keiwan Ratliff is also another Florida staffer who is familiar with McCall, thanks to Ratliff's 7-on-7 experience throughout Central Florida before he was hired at Florida. 

RELATED: Sam McCall opens up on relationship with Florida cornerbacks coach Torrian Gray

Through seven games of his junior season, McCall has recorded seven tackles, two interceptions, and three defended passes defensively, along with catching 23 passes for 469 yards and six touchdowns and rushing four times for 34 yards and a score. McCall also has an 80-yard kickoff return and averages 24.3 yards per punt return on three attempts in 2020.

McCall joins fellow wide receiver Syveion Ellis (Edison - Miami, Fla.) as the two lone commitments in the 2022 class. 

This addition continues to keep top in-state talent at home, which is the best thing Florida can do to cut the talent gap between them and national powerhouses. Although it is very early in the cycle, winning these recruiting battles against Oklahoma and Alabama is a positive sign for the Gators moving forward.