Virginia DT Elijah Conliffe commits to Gators

The Florida Gators received some much needed good news Tuesday when Hampton, Va., defensive tackle Elijah Conliffe announced he will be signing with UF on National Signing Day.

Not only is the timing good, but Conliffe is a huge get for the Gators. He is ranked as the No. 19 defensive tackle in the country by 247Sports.

Chris Hays talks about recruits for the Florida Gators as National Signing Day appraches

The news comes on the heels of Monday’s decision by Florida to discontinue pursuit of top receiver James Robinson of Lakeland because of off-the-field actions.

Conliffe’s decision addresses another key area of need for the Gators, who lost starters Joey Ivie (graduation) and Caleb Brantley (early draft entry).

The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Conliffe, who picked UF over Penn State, Tennessee and Louisville, announced his decision on Facebook Live.

He is the third defensive tackle in the Gators 2017 class, joining juco transfer Javier Edwards out of Blinn (Texas) Community College and Kyree Campbell, another Virginia product from Woodbridge. Campbell, who is already enrolled at UF, spent this past season at Wyoming Seminary Prep School in Pennsylvania.

Conliffe has great athleticism for a 300-pounder and could even see time at defensive end in the future.

The commitment moves the Gators, who now have 18 commitments in the class, to No. 19 in the 247Sports national composite recruiting rankings.

FSU receiver Kermit Whitfield of Orlando Jones High, played catch with a boy who had received care from a Shriner’s Hospital after the East-West Shrine Game and then he talked about his week.

FSU receiver Kermit Whitfield of Orlando Jones High, played catch with a boy who had received care from a Shriner’s Hospital after the East-West Shrine Game Marsbahis and then he talked about his week.

FSU receiver Kermit Whitfield of Orlando Jones High, played catch with a boy who had received care from a Shriner’s Hospital after the East-West Shrine Game and then he talked about his week.

Trey Hendrickson, Dieugot Joseph, Tony Stevens, Trey Griffey talk about Shrine Game experience

Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, could not find each other for the customary postgame handshake following the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Tampa. The two good friends did eventually meet on the field following Clemson’s 35-31 victory. (Swinney video by Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel; Saban video by SEC Country; Photo by Getty Images)

FSU commit Cyrus Fagan of Daytona Beach Mainland talks about nearly decommitting from the Seminoles earlier this season during media day for the Under Armour All-American Game.

Daniel Wright of Fort Lauderdale Boyd Anderson High talks about picking Alabama over FSU during Under Armour All-American week in Orlando. (video interview)

Chris Hays covers college football recruiting, as well as college and high school football for the Sentinel. Reach him at chays@orlandosentinel.com.

Also follow us on Twitter @OS_Recruiting or on Faceboook at OS Recruiting or on Instagram at OS_Recruiting.

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