Heritage star reclassifies, commits to Florida football

Heritage defensive back Demetres Samuel Jr. shifted his football career 365 days into the future with a reclassification and a college commitment.

As a result, the Panthers star will be a senior in the coming season, and he said he plans to sign with the Florida Gators .

"My parents and I were talking about reclassifying and talked to my coaches about it," he said before Thursday's afternoon practice at the school. "We've put it in motion now, and I'm (class of) 2025."

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Samuel, who was to be a junior this year, had already shifted to another gear academically, so he will be covered for graduation by virtue of summer school and virtual classwork. Now a senior a year ahead of schedule, he says the realization of the end of this phase has just hit him.

"It has, a little bit," he said. "I'm ready for the moment. I felt like I was already ready to be a senior."

He played like it last season, when Samuel intercepted five passes and returned them for 116 yards and a score, averaging 23.2 yards a pick. He made 19 tackles for the 9-2 Panthers and caught two offensive touchdowns.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Heritage star reclassifies, commits to Florida football