Growing up just south of Gainesville, Ocala Trinity Catholic High's Chris Johnson knew he wanted to be a Gator. It was just a matter of getting a scholarship offer.
The three-star safety had the Gators as his top choice throughout his recruitment, but didn't get an offer because he needed to score at least a 17 on his ACT to qualify academically to play for a Division 1 school.
Johnson, the 36th-best safety in the nation, according to Rivals.com, took the test last month and recently received word that he scored the 17 he needed to qualify.
When coach Urban Meyer officially offered Johnson on Thursday after UF's afternoon practice, Johnson quickly accepted, making him the 16th oral commitment for UF's 2011 recruiting class.
"I'm overwhelmed," Johnson told the Gainesville Sun. "I still can't get over it. I love Florida and that's where I want to be."
Oral commitments are nonbinding until a letter of intent is signed on or after National Signing Day on Feb. 2.
