Louisiana ties lead to big recruiting win for Billy Napier and Florida Gators

It was a big recruiting win for Florida, especially considering the competition.

Wardell Mack, a four-star cornerback from Marrero, La., committed to the Gators over LSU, Florida State and Texas.

Marrero is just over an hour away from Baton Rouge, so it was especially a big deal for head coach Billy Napier to land the four-star over Brian Kelly and LSU. 

That's not to say Mack won't feel at home in Florida, though.  Keep in mind, Napier coached the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns from 2018 to 2021. He's brought several staff members over from that team and there are multiple who are natives of Louisiana. 

That's part of the reason Mack decided to commit to the Gators, in fact.

“On my official visit in April I saw it was a great place, with great people trying to put the pieces together to put Florida back on the map,” Mack told On3. “Just having a sit down with coach Corey (Raymond) and his work through the years. Also, having Louisiana native coaches puts a plus on everything.”

Secondary coach Raymond spent 2012 to 2021 at LSU. He's a native of New Iberia, Louisiana and has coached players such as Derek Stingley Jr., Jamal Adams, Tre’davious White and Tyrann Mathieu, among others.

"I know a lot about him and I grew up watching him at LSU and watching all those guys he had come out," Mack told 247Sports of Raymond. "He dropped a whole lot of knowledge on my head today for sure. I can tell he's a great coach from me being around him."

As far as the rankings are concerned, Mack is a big-time commitment for Napier and his staff. He's the No. 13 cornerback in the 2014 class as the No. 115 recruit nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite ranking.