Vernon Hargreaves III: Florida's Will Muschamp Nabs Top Recruit, Avoids Hot Seat

The Florida Gators finished the 2011 season with a 7-6 (3-5 SEC) record after a win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Gator Bowl.

That isn’t going to cut it for head coach Will Muschamp, who has been tasked to uphold the winning tradition down in The Swamp.

Fortunately, the former Texas assistant has been working towards making his job easier and appeasing his employers by getting a commitment from Vernon Hargreaves III.

According to Derek Tyson of ESPN’s GatorNation, the five-star defensive back prospect chose the Gainesville-based program over Clemson, Miami, Vanderbilt and Notre Dame.

The 5’11”, 185-pound prospect rated as ESPN’s No. 4 player in the entire country and bolsters an extremely strong crop of defensive backs recruited by Muschamp, a class that includes Tre’ Bell, Nick Washington and Keanu Neal.

He’s the highest ranked player that the Gators coach has recruited since joining the team in 2011 and taking over for the legendary Urban Meyer.

Meyer left some huge shoes to fill, but Muschamp seems to be doing an admirable job putting together a solid roster that will compete for the foreseeable future in the South Eastern Conference.

Hargreaves III, a Tampa Bay resident who attended Wharton High School, seems quite excited about the prospect of playing in The Swamp, tweeting:

"I can officially say I am committed to THE University of Florida ! #GoGators CHOMP CHOMP"

If the young man pans out the way that Muschamp and many expect him to, Florida is going to be a hell of a team in just a few short years. That should definitely keep the second-year head coach with his current employer.