Florida gets 4-Star DT Elijah Conliffe on National Signing Day Eve

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Nothing like closing strong for a collegiate football staff, and that is what Florida is doing. The Gators are playing catch-up with National Signing Day coming on Wednesday but added a big recruit on Tuesday in four-star defensive tackle Elijah Conliffe.

Conliffe became one of the more highly recruited defensive tackles in the 2017 class playing for Hampton High School. The Crabbers made it to the third round of Virginia 5A playoffs before a tough 37-31 exit against Norview. Their 6-4, 305, pound defensive tackle was an absolute beast during his senior season stopping the run and collapsing the pocket on passing downs.

Nearly 30 reported offers were extended to Conliffe with Penn State (Nov. 4), Tennessee (Jan. 13), and Louisville (Jan. 28) hosting the prized recruit on official visits. The Gators flew Conliffe down to Gainesville on Jan. 20 setting up the big verbal commitment.

Conliffe did a video announcement with Tennessee, Penn State, and Florida in his Top 3. Friends and family shot off confetti in Florida Gator colors to announce his school of choice.

The Gators are creeping up the recruiting rankings with a big day expected on NSD. The 18 verbal commits to the class are ranked No. 19 in the country, No. 7 overall in the SEC.

Florida Gators 2017 Verbal Commitment List (18)

CB Shawn Davis, 5-11, 190, Miami Southridge HS, Miami, FL

CB Brad Stewart, 6-0, 194, McDonogh 35, New Orleans, LA

CB Marco Wilson, 6-0, 180, American Heritage, Fort Lauderdale, FL

SS Donovan Stiner, 6-2, 185, Bellaire HS, Bellaire, TX

LB James Houston, 6-1, 225, American Heritage, Fort Lauderdale, FL*

LB Ventrell Miller, 6-0, 227, Kathleen HS, Lakeland, FL

LB Nick Smith, 6-3, 210, Dr. Phillips HS, Orlando, FL

DE Zachary Carter, 6-4.5, 250, Hillsborough HS, Tampa, FL

DT Kyree Campbell, 6-4, 320, Wyoming Seminary Prep, Kingston, PA*

DT Elijah Conliffe, 6-4, 305, Hampton HS, Hampton, VA

OT T.J. Moore, Mallard Creek HS, Charlotte, NC

OT Kadeem Telfort, 6-7, 300, Norland HS, Miami, FL*

TE Zech Byrd, 6-6, 235, Stanhope Elmore, Millbrook, AL

TE Kemore Gamble, 6-4, 216, Miami Southridge HS, Miami, FL*

RB Malik Davis, 5-11, 190, Jesuit HS, Tampa, FL

QB Jake Allen, 6-3, 200, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Fort Lauderdale, FL

WR Daquon Green, 6-1, 185, Tampa Bay Tech, Tampa, FL

ATH/QB Kadarius Toney, 6-0, 185, Blount HS, Eight Mile, AL*

*Enrolled

 

Photo credit: twitter.com; Elijah Conliffe at Florida.