Panther Demetres Samuel, Jr. carries the ball at the Heritage High Panthers at Viera High Hawks football game. Credit: Tim Shortt / Florida Today / USA Today Network TIM SHORTT / FLORIDA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK

Gators Lose Commitment from Legacy Safety

Originally posted on Florida Gators on SI | By Cam Parker | Last updated Sep 29, 2024 10:02 PM ET

After a near-two month commitment to the Florida Gators, four-star safety Demetres Samuel Jr. (Palm Bay, Fla.) flipped his pledge back to Syracuse, he announced late Sunday night.

Samuel Jr. was the Gators' first defensive back commit of the class after he reclassified from the 2026 class to the 2025 class. He was previously committed to Syracuse from March 30 until July 31, when he flipped to Florida.

He is also the younger cousin of former Florida safety Marcus Maye.

"Orange fans I'm locked in! Let's do it!" he said, via a post from On3's Hayes Fawcett.

BREAKING: Four-Star Safety Demetres Samuel has Flipped his Commitment from Florida to Syracuse, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’1 190 S from Palm Bay, FL had been Committed to the Gators since July

“Orange fans I’m locked in! Let’s do it!”https://t.co/MiCHVcuOkS pic.twitter.com/fX84mJkafQ
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) September 30, 2024

Samuel Jr. confirmed his decision in a post to his personal "X" account.

Cuse Fans let’s do it❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/PuhD2OleuR
— Demetres Samuel JR (@demetres_jr) September 30, 2024

Samuel Jr.'s flip back to Syracuse leaves Florida with only one defensive back commit in the class in four-star legacy corner Ben Hanks Jr. His decision also comes in the midst of a crucial portion of the season for the Gators. Sitting at 2-2 and a tough eight games to finish the season, head coach Billy Napier's seat has never been hotter.

Should the Gators continue to struggle and eventually make a change in leadership for the football program, it wouldn't come as a surprise if more follow Samuel Jr. in looking towards other programs for their services.

Florida hosts UCF on Saturday at 7:45 p.m. before facing seven-straight SEC opponents, five of which are ranked and three of which are considered top-five programs in the most-recent AP Poll.

As it stands, the Gators have the nation's No. 19 overall class in this recruiting cycle, according to On3.

This article first appeared on Florida Gators on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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