2017 Florida football recruiting: Gators pick up James Houston and Adarius Lemons

Florida's 2017 class got a big boost over the weekend with the commitment of linebacker James Houston and running back Adarius Lemons flipping his commitment from UNC. The additions put the Gator's class at #18 in the country and eighth in the SEC, per 247Sports.

Houston, a three-star prospect from American Heritage (FL) in Ft. Lauderdale, held 26 offers before deciding on Florida following the Friday Night Lights camp in Gainesville. He tore his ACL in July and will miss his senior season, but showed why he was a highly sought after prospect on his Hudl film, which you can see below. His length, athleticism, explosiveness, and striking ability makes him an asset for the program and it will be interesting to see how he rehabs from his injury.

Lemons, a four-star running back out of Clearwater (FL) High School and the state's #1 RB who held 24 offers, flipped over the weekend to the Gators after committing to North Carolina for four months. He also attended the Friday Night Lights camp at Florida, and he's the second prospect of the 2017 class to flip to UF after tight end Kemore Gamble flipped from Miami (FL). After watching his Hudl film (which you can watch below), Lemons speed, athleticism, and ability to finish runs ought to be exciting for Gators fan. He probably needs a year to get bigger and get squared away as a pass blocker at the next level, but this is a great pickup for Jim McElwain.