The Florida Gators experienced a touch of drama on the first day of the Early Signing Period, but it ended well. Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland five-star defensive lineman LJ McCray was scheduled to sign at his school ceremony on December 20th at 10:00 a.m. est, but as the start time approached, McCray decided not to sign. McCray had planned to sign later during the Early Signing Period, but Florida’s coaching staff went to work, calling the elite defense to encourage him to sign later that evening.
McCray had been pledged to the Gators since late October, but Auburn, Florida State, and Miami were still interested in him despite his commitment to the Orange and Blue. Florida had a difficult season finale, finishing with a 5-7 record and a five-game losing streak. McCray only needed a little more time, and while the Gators had some flaws that certainly opened the door for others to negative recruit them, McCray stuck to his original promise and signed with the Gators in the end.
“I mean, it happens,” McCray said during the All-American Bowl media check-in in Texas. “You have to be a different type of player in that situation, I mean, to stick to something like this.” It will take place.