Recruiting analysts have said the Gators' 2010 recruiting class would need to have a heavy dose of defensive backs. UF coaches must feel the same way.
Jonathan Dowling, a 6-foot-3, 178-pound safety out of Southeast High in Bradenton, orally committed to the Gators on Sunday while on an unofficial visit. He is the fourth commit in UF's 2010 class who plays in the defensive backfield.
Dowling had already narrowed his list down to UF and Alabama and has taken visits to both schools in the last week.
"Florida just feels, like, real family-oriented, and it just feels like, 'That's my home,'" he said. "Alabama, it just felt like a regular college."
Dowling spent Sunday with UF safeties coach Chuck Heater and was assured he would play that position if he chose the Gators.
Although signing day is almost a year away, Dowling wanted to end the recruiting process early.
"I basically get to get back to being a regular kid because I'm closing the door."
