The Florida Gators have made another addition to their 2022 recruiting class with the signing of three-star prospect Arlis Boardingham.
Boardingham, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound athlete from Van Nuys, California, selected the Gators over Oregon in his final commitment decision. His choice comes just one week after National Signing Day.
“With Florida, I felt more of a connection with them,” Boardingham said in an interview with 247Sports. “I really liked the coaching staff a lot and felt really comfortable with those guys. I liked the opportunity and plan they have in place for me and I’m excited to be a Gator.”
Ranked as the No. 488 player in the 2022 recruiting cycle, Boardingham is listed as an athlete-type role figure by 247Sports. He’s similar to former Gator Kyle Pitts in the sense that he can play the receiver position despite mainly serving as a tight end.
“They like me as a hybrid tight end,” he continued. “Someone who can be flexed out and run around as a slot receiver, but who is also able to play in the tight end spot with his hand down or possibly in a two-point stance. They think I can be a big piece in their offense with the versatility that I have, but we haven’t really gone in super detail about how I fit. I am sure we will speak about that on the visit.”
In an effort to salvage former Gators HC Dan Mullen’s recruiting woes, Boardingham qualifies as the eighteenth member of a skyrocketing Billy Napier-formed class. The Gators capped off National Signing Day rated No. 19 in the 247Sports Rankings, but have since risen even further, jumping three teams in the last week — Auburn, Stanford and Tennessee — to reach No. 16.
Among UF’s other top recruits is local IMG safety Kamari Wilson, as well as defensive linemen Chris McClellan and Jamari Lyons, linebacker Shemar James, running back Trevor Etienne and offensive tackle Tony Livingston.