Ex-Florida RB takes aim at Gators over handling of his son

Jul 20, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier talks from the stage during SEC Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

A Florida Gators legend appears to be unhappy with the program over the way the recruitment of his son has been handled.

Former Florida running back Earnest Graham took to social media on Thursday with a not-so-cryptic message that was clearly aimed at the Gators

https://twitter.com/earnestgraham/status/1737883338138849733

“My son was raised to understand the business as it exists but there has been new levels of disconnect with this program that I have NEVER ever experienced,” Graham wrote on X. “No calls, no communication and the dryest experience imaginable. I’m just going to START there.”

Graham’s son is Myles Graham, a 4-star linebacker prospect who is part of Florida’s 2024 recruiting class. Florida lost commitments from several players during the early signing period this week, but Myles officially signed with the Gators on Wednesday. It is possible that Earnest feels information was withheld from him and his son prior to that.

As Zach Goodall of All Gators notes, former Florida linebackers coach Jay Bateman was hired as Texas A&M’s new defensive coordinator on Thursday. The move came as a surprise to many people. It also came just hours before Earnest aired his frustration.

Obviously, Bateman played a big role in recruiting Myles. The safe assumption is that Earnest is not happy that Florida did not communicate that Bateman was potentially leaving the program.

Florida head coach Billy Napier has faced some criticism for his shortcomings on the recruiting trail. It will not help his case that one of his top signees seems discontent.

Earnest was a star at Florida, where he played from 1998-2002. He ranked fifth in Gators history with 3,065 yards and third with 33 rushing touchdowns.