The Florida Gators achieved a significant early win in January by securing a commitment from four-star edge rusher Jalen Wiggins from Tallahassee (Fla.) James Rickards. The Gators got involved with Wiggins early, which led to his commitment. Although his pledge was considered solid for most of the year, Wiggins made it clear he would still take visits despite his verbal commitment.
In addition to an official visit to Florida in June, Wiggins visited Stanford and Florida State. He also made several unofficial visits to FSU and participated in a camp there. After evaluating his options, Wiggins decided that no other school changed his feelings about the Gators, leading him to shut down his recruitment and reaffirm his commitment to Florida on Monday.
“Going through the process helped me gather all the facts,” Wiggins said. “After these visits, I realized you can achieve success anywhere if you push yourself. I knew Florida was the place for me, and seeing everything confirmed it. I know I can succeed at Florida both during and after my playing career.”
The 6-foot-4 1/2, 255-pound Wiggins grew up a fan of the Gators, which helped put them on his radar early when they extended an offer. His longstanding fandom, combined with the relationships he built with the staff, contributed to his early commitment. However, the opportunities he saw for himself both on and off the field solidified his decision.
“I’ve always been a big Gator fan. Now, I’ve seen the program from the inside, like GatorMade, which helps athletes explore their interests beyond football. That sealed the deal for me. The chance to play in the SEC and earn a degree from Florida confirmed that this is the right place for me.”
Throughout the year, Wiggins continued to visit UF regularly and took on the role of a vocal recruiter. He’s been actively recruiting other top targets, with Vernell Brown III being a primary focus.
“I’ve been working on Vernell [Brown III], and I feel good about it. I think he’ll make his decision this month, and I’m optimistic about his interest in the program.”
While listed as a defensive lineman by 247Sports, the Gators see Wiggins as an edge rusher at the next level. His primary recruiter at UF has been outside linebackers coach Mike Peterson, but he’s also built strong relationships with co-defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, defensive line coach Gerald Chatman, and head coach Billy Napier.
247Sports currently ranks Wiggins as the No. 77 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.
