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Five-star safety Hylton Stubbs, the five-star safety from Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Fla., told Rivals on Nov. 14 that he’s “along with Miami” despite the many programs working to change his longtime commitment.

On Sunday, the senior spent some time in Gainesville with his childhood favorites, the Florida Gators, which happens to be the hottest program in college football recruiting. By Monday it was no longer a secret that a move to Billy Napier’s program was planned.

Stubbs has confirmed this and is now not only a verbal commitment from UF, but also the highest rated.

“After a fantastic visit to the University of Florida yesterday, I have decided to decommit from Miami and dedicate myself to the Gators,” Stubbs told Rivals. “The main reason for this decision is my belief in the football program and the incredible opportunity to compete for a national championship.”

“Coach Napier’s vision, leadership and authentic approach impressed me and I am confident he is building something special in Gainesville. I’m excited to play for a coach who prioritizes development both on and off the field. Go Gators!”

After a rapid rise since mid-November, a top 10 class appears to be the basis for the program.

The Stubbs move hits the recruiting world hard, especially considering the timing with just two days remaining until National Signing Day. Not only is he a five-star talent, but the safety tape he put together as an upperclassman combined with his athletic attributes to form a recruit we expect to hit the ground running at the next level. When comparing Miami’s situation to Florida’s, the result is on a higher level considering UM’s late-season decline was focused on the secondary and its deficiencies.

For Florida, this is as consistent a Napier recruiting win as it gets. Stubbs grew up a big Gator fan, yet the program always seemed to be at the top of his list – but rarely No. 1 when the first two verbal commitments fell through. However, the staff stuck with it and eventually received the late return visit following the combination of momentum on the pitch and confidence about Napier’s future.

One could argue that Stubbs’ decision is the most critical or meaningful to UF’s rise in the rankings, considering the company’s multiple failures to live up to its promise earlier in the year. Taking him away from an in-state rival known to do a better job at recruiting makes it all the sweeter for the only SEC school in the Sunshine State.