Different coach, same commitment to Florida for S Amari Burney

Calvary Christian's Amari Burney knew his college destination for six months, picking Florida on June 1, the birthday of his grandfather who passed away two years ago.

During that time, the Gators changed coaches, firing Jim McElwain and hiring Mississippi State's Dan Mullen.

Still, Burney's decision never wavered.

His commitment became official Wednesday when he signed his letter of intent to become a Gator. Burney put pen to paper during an anticlimatic early-morning ceremony attended by his parents, Warriors coach Todd Yoder and two reporters.

"The first day I was surprised because I woke up and I heard coach McElwain had been fired and I was like 'Whoa'," Burney said. "But I only had to think about it for a few hours. I knew I still wanted to be a Florida Gator. I was talking to my parents and they told me that I didn't commit to the coach. I committed to the school."

Burney said Mullen wants him to play safety, maybe even some at outside linebacker.

An early enrollee, Burney said he will head to Gainesville on Jan. 4 and start classes on Jan. 8. He wanted to graduate from high school early so he can get acclimated to the defensive scheme.

"It's exciting," Burney said. "Of all the colleges that came for me, I'm glad I chose to be a Florida Gator. It's a quick break, a quick turnaround. But that's what I wanted.

"I'm ready to get started."