Four-star Miami Central wide receiver Naeshaun Montgomery made waves on Aug. 25 by announcing his commitment to the University of Florida. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound standout chose the Gators over a list of elite programs, including Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Oregon and Penn State.
Montgomery’s choice to join Florida was celebrated lavishly as he arrived in a sleek matte black Mercedes.
While commitments to SEC schools are common in Florida, Montgomery's announcement stood out, especially for the state of Rhode Island, where the event was held. Family and friends started to gather at Viva Mexico on Washington Street around 5 p.m., and by 5:35 p.m., a large crowd had assembled to witness his arrival.
“I feel amazing to do it in front of my whole family and friends,” Montgomery said. “I’m just extremely blessed. A lot of people can’t come see me play in Florida so I knew, for my big day, I was going to do it in front of everybody. That’s why I came home.”
A reserved parking space awaited the matte black Mercedes, from which Naeshaun Montgomery's younger brother first emerged, adding a playful touch before the star appeared.
"This was about more than just committing to a school," Montgomery shared. "It was about coming back to my roots, to the place and people who have supported me from the start. I wanted to inspire the youth here who have similar dreams."
Kashif, Montgomery's close confidant, highlighted the significance of the event.
"In Florida, there's a unique support system for athletes—kids can see and interact with former stars," he said. "Here, in Rhode Island, that’s rare. Naeshaun is showing these kids what's possible."
As he announced his decision, Naeshaun Montgomery grabbed the Florida Gators hat and declared:
"Go Gators. I really liked the communication, and my biggest thing was, playing as a freshman, I just knew Florida will give me a chance to play as a freshman and have a good quarterback with other good receivers.”
Naeshaun Montgomery chose Florida, cites strong connections
Naeshaun Montgomery received offers from top programs like LSU and Penn State. His decision to commit to Florida came after the Gators secured their sixth recruit in just over a month, aiming to strengthen their Class of 2025.
“They showed a lot of love to my family and me. They made it feel like home every time I visited,” he told Gators Online.
Montgomery praised the coaching staff, including head coach Billy Napier and receivers coach Billy Gonzales, saying:
“They are all great coaches who genuinely care about you and your family.”
During his junior year, Naeshaun Montgomery recorded 30 catches for 451 yards and five touchdowns, highlighting his potential with a 4.4-second 40-yard dash time.
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