PALM BEACH GARDENS — Jacoby Brissett stood at midcourt Friday night, hugging his mom, Lisa Brown, as he tried to fight back tears.
The four-star Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer High quarterback was moments removed from announcing the biggest decision of his life — a decision his mom didn’t agree with.
In front of a packed Dwyer gymnasium, Brissett made known his long-anticipated college choice and announced he would attend Florida.
Brissett, the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the nation according to Rivals.com, picked Florida over Miami, Wisconsin and Washington. It wasn’t an easy choice, as Brissett said he wrestled back and forth between UF and UM at least 25 times in the days leading up to Friday.
“I just had to follow my heart, and my heart lied at Florida,” Brissett said.
Although Brissett made up his mind, he has not signed his national letter of intent with the Gators, but he plans on doing so today.
If his mom has anything to do with it, he will not be signing with Florida at all. Brown was pushing for her son to choose Miami and said she will continue to try to sway him until the national letter of intent is signed and sent in.
“It was not my choice,” Brown said. “I didn’t like the way Florida handled the process. I was never able to meet the head coach. All the other coaches took the time to come and meet me. Will (Muschamp) never did. I never met him face to face. And I find that very disrespectful.”
Brissett made his decision Thursday during school after he met with his coaches. But he didn’t inform his mom until two hours before the announcement — in a text message.
Brown said Brissett informed her by text because he knew she would be hurt by the decision.
“I love her no matter what,” Brissett said. “But it came down to making the decision I felt was best for me. I can’t please everybody. I’m hurt that I hurt my mom. … I was crying with her before the game. She means the world to me.”
Brissett’s commitment to Florida gives the Gators 19 players in Muschamp’s inaugural recruiting class, including two of the nation’s top five quarterbacks.
Having Jeff Driskel, the nation’s No. 1 overall quarterback, in the same class doesn’t bother Brissett, who thrives on competition.
“[Driskel] will have to prove to me every day, every year that he’s going to be better than me for him to win that starting spot,” Brissett said.
