Jay-Nard Bostwick to Florida: Gators Land 4-Star DT Recruit

Jay-nard Bostwick, a physically-imposing defensive lineman with tremendous upside, has decided to play college football for Florida, according to 247Sports' Luke Stampini. Gators fans should be excited about this signing. 

"

Port St. Lucie (Fla.) West Centennial 6-foot-4, 295-pound defensive tackle Jay-nard Bostwick announced his plans to attend the University of Florida in the morning during a ceremony at his school.

"

Bostwick is a 4-star defensive tackle, according to 247Sports, who can also swing out to defensive end in certain schemes. That versatility, paired with a boatload on talent, made him a popular target during the recruiting process.

247Sports' composite rankings list him as the 14th-best player at his position and the 229th-best overall recruit in the 2013 class.

The St. Lucie West Centennial star checks in at 6'4'', 280 pounds. Not only has he shown the ability to power through opposing offensive linemen using his strength, but he has also illustrated some pretty good agility for a player of his size.

Perhaps the best way to explain his coveted playing style is by pointing out the programs that were chasing him. Coaches ranging from up-tempo Pac-12 schools to grind-it-out SEC schools—and everything in between—were interested.

It shows that coaching staffs believe he can be plugged into any system and find a way to succeed. That's more important than it may seem because there is no shortage of recruits that must land in the perfect environment to thrive.

Bostwick isn't one of them.

If there's one thing he needs to work on, it's consistency. The best defensive tackles make an impact on almost every play, even when they aren't making a tackle. Whether it's consuming two blockers or getting a backfield push, their presence is felt.

Bostwick needs to reach that level. His highlights show how good he can be when at his best, but staying on that level for every snap is what will allow him to transform from a solid recruit into a star player at the college level.

Other than that, he has all the tools to become a key piece of the defense. He probably won't make a massive immediate impact, but he should be able to earn some rotation playing time right away before seeing his role increase down the line.

The talent is there. Now the process of turning him into an elite player begins, and it will be interesting for fans to watch in the coming years.