GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In the recruiting world, there are commitments, and then there are seismic shifts. The Florida Gators landed one of those program-altering recruits this week when four-star free safety Jalen Atwell, a 5’10”, 209-pound playmaker from powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas (Delray Beach, Fla.), announced his commitment to Florida.
Atwell, rated as one of the top defensive backs in the PCFB recruiting class of 2026, chose Florida over offers from Alabama and Georgia, two programs synonymous with producing NFL-level talent in the secondary. His decision gives Florida one of the crown jewels of its defensive class and strengthens a unit already poised to make a run at another national championship.
What makes Atwell’s commitment so intriguing isn’t just his measurable traits—though his 97 speed, 86 agility, and 86 change of direction make him a rare athlete at the safety position. It’s the story of how he got here, from his early Pop Warner days in Palm Beach County to becoming the leader of the most dominant defense in high school football.
Early Years: A Natural Talent in Pop Warner
For those who grew up around Delray Beach youth football, the name Jalen Atwell isn’t new. He was the kid who seemed to play at a different speed.
As an eight-year-old in the local Pop Warner league, Atwell recorded 12 interceptions and 5 pick-sixes in a single season—numbers unheard of at that level. Coaches recall his ability to bait quarterbacks into throws, a rare trait for a child just learning the fundamentals of football.
“He was always the smartest kid on the field,” said Coach Anthony Vega, who worked with Atwell in the Delray Rocks program. “The other kids were just trying to tackle the ball carrier. Jalen was reading quarterbacks, watching eyes, jumping routes. You don’t see that at 10 years old.”
That reputation began to spread. By the time he hit middle school, powerhouse programs in South Florida had their eyes on him. St. Thomas Aquinas—home to dozens of Division I alumni and NFL players—extended an opportunity for him to join their program.
St. Thomas Aquinas: The Making of a Star
Atwell’s journey to St. Thomas Aquinas High School wasn’t guaranteed. Coming from Delray Beach, it required both family commitment and a belief that the young safety would thrive under the spotlight of one of the most competitive programs in the country.
His freshman year was a learning curve. Atwell saw spot duty behind a senior-laden secondary, but even in limited snaps, he recorded 25 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 5 pass breakups. His breakout came on special teams, where his 97 speed flashed in kickoff coverage.
By his sophomore year, Atwell was the unquestioned starter at free safety—and from that moment forward, he transformed into the anchor of the nation’s top high school defense.
High School Career Stats
Freshman Year (2022): 25 tackles, 2 INT, 5 PBUs
Sophomore Year (2023): 44 tackles, 6 INT, 2 forced fumbles, 1 defensive touchdown
Junior Year (2024): 41 tackles, 9 INT, 3 forced fumbles, 2 defensive touchdowns
Senior Year (2025): 58 tackles, 11 INT, 3 forced fumbles, 3 defensive touchdowns, 3 punt return touchdowns with the playoffs still to come.
Over four years, Atwell accumulated 168 tackles, 28 interceptions, and 6 defensive touchdowns, while leading St. Thomas Aquinas to back-to-back playoff appearances in his junior and senior seasons. They won the title in his junior year and are looking to repeat currently. His ability to both erase mistakes in coverage and enforce physically in the run game made him a complete safety.
What separates him, however, is his leadership. Coaches consistently point to Atwell as the emotional heartbeat of the defense. “He demanded perfection from his teammates,” said St. Thomas Aquinas defensive coordinator Greg Malone. “We had College-caliber corners on the outside, but Jalen was the one setting coverages, calling adjustments, and making sure everyone knew their assignment. He was our Ed Reed.”
Comparisons to Ed Reed
It’s easy to throw out lofty comparisons, but in Atwell’s case, the parallels to Hall of Famer Ed Reed feel earned.
Like Reed, Atwell isn’t the tallest defensive back on the field, but he plays with uncanny instincts. His 97 speed mirrors Reed’s reputation for closing ground in a flash, and his ball-hawking ability is second to none. Atwell’s 28 career interceptions in high school speak for themselves, and his knack for returning turnovers for touchdowns shows a flair for game-changing plays.
Even more, he carries that same aura of leadership and accountability that Reed displayed at Miami and later in the NFL. Teammates have described Atwell as “a coach on the field,” a player who can break down offensive tendencies and predict routes before the ball is snapped.
Recruiting Battles: Georgia, Alabama, and Florida
Naturally, a player of Atwell’s caliber drew national attention. By the end of his high school, nearly every major PCFB program had extended an offer. The recruiting battle quickly narrowed to Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.
Georgia pitched its recent track record of producing elite defensive backs. Alabama leaned on its dynasty reputation, promising Atwell a chance to compete against the best every day in practice.
But ultimately, it was Florida that won out.
“They’ve won championships, and they’re building toward another one,” Atwell said during his commitment ceremony. “I wanted to be part of something special, and Florida has that tradition. Plus, being close to home and playing in The Swamp—it just felt right.”
Florida’s coaching staff also played a key role. Defensive backs coach Corey Raymond, known as one of the nation’s best at developing secondary talent, built a relationship with Atwell early in the process. That trust and connection made Gainesville the ideal fit.
What Florida is Getting
Florida’s defense already had momentum, but adding Atwell raises the ceiling significantly. The freshman arrives with attributes rarely seen at the collegiate level.
- Speed (97): Game-breaking. He can erase deep balls, chase down runners, and cover sideline to sideline.
- Agility (86) and Change of Direction (86): Makes him lethal in man coverage, despite being a safety. Can recover instantly if beaten on a route.
- Zone Coverage (80): Advanced for a freshman. Shows the ability to read quarterbacks and close on passes quickly.
- Awareness (70): Room to grow, but with his football IQ, expect this to skyrocket as he adjusts to the speed of the PCFB.
- Tackling (70): Solid foundation; with strength and technique training, he can become a true enforcer.
Atwell isn’t just a one-dimensional track athlete playing football—he’s a complete safety prospect. He has the raw athletic tools to be a star from day one, and his instincts, honed over years of dominating at St. Thomas Aquinas, make him one of the most college-ready defensive backs in recent memory.
Immediate Impact in Gainesville
Florida coaches aren’t hiding their excitement. Sources inside the program believe Atwell could compete for a starting spot in his freshman season, especially in nickel packages and passing downs. His elite speed allows him to cover slot receivers, while his ball skills could give the Gators a turnover machine in the secondary.
“Jalen is the type of player who changes the dynamic of your defense,” said one Florida assistant. “He’s not just fast—he knows how to use that speed. You don’t get kids like this often.”
With Florida aiming to contend for a PCFB championship, Atwell’s presence might be the difference between a solid defense and an elite one.
Legacy Potential
Florida has a storied history of producing legendary safeties, from Reggie Nelson to Matt Elam. Atwell enters Gainesville with the potential to add his name to that list—and perhaps surpass them all.
If he fulfills his potential, he could be a multi-year starter, an All-American, and a first-round NFL Draft pick. His combination of speed, instincts, and leadership sets the stage for a career that could rival the very best to come through the program.
For now, though, Atwell remains an incoming freshman—hungry, driven, and eager to prove that his decision to pick Florida over Alabama and Georgia was the right one.
“I want to win championships,” Atwell said. “That’s why I came here.”
And with Jalen Atwell patrolling the secondary, the Gators’ chances of doing just that just got a whole lot better.
