Virginia Tech’s Director of Player Personnel Chuck Cantor announced via Twitter that he is taking the same job with the Florida Gators. Cantor offered thanks to former Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer and current head coach Justin Fuente in his departure message.

Florida was able to land Cantor after E.K. Franks left the Gators for more money with the Kentucky Wildcats. UF did not feel comfortable giving a pay bump to Franks, and began searching for other options.

It was speculated that Cantor would be hired by Florida on Wednesday. Friday morning the news became official. Cantor spent the past four years with the Hokies leading their recruiting efforts. While Florida and Virginia Tech had very few head-to-head recruiting battles, a recent high-profile one revolved around top 50 safety Devon Hunter in 2017. The Virginia native opted for the Hokies over Florida, Auburn, and North Carolina.

Cantor has experience in the Southeastern Conference, as he worked for the Georgia Bulldogs from 2008 to 2011 under then UGA head coach Mark Richt. At that time, Cantor’s title was assistant recruiting coordinator. Georgia signed the nation’s No. 7 overall class in 2011 according to the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings, while also inking the No. 4 class in 2009.

In 2007, Cantor worked at Rutgers as a recruiting assistant. Current Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano was the head coach for the Scarlet Knights at the time. In 2006, Cantor was a graduate assistant for the Florida State Seminoles.

In recent years, recruiting has become a major concern for the Florida Gators after landing elite prospects at a very high rate during the years Urban Meyer led the program, as well as during Will Muschamp’s tenure. Recruiting took a dip under head coach Jim McElwain, and it caught up to him in 2017 when the Gators went 4-7 and he was fired.

New head coach Dan Mullen is trying to resurrect Florida’s recruiting efforts after being hired in November of last year and leading the Gators through the new Early Signing Period in December as well as the traditional February National Signing Day. Mullen was able to piece together the nation’s No. 14 overall class in short order.

Florida’s 2019 recruiting class currently ranks No. 15 in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite Team Recruiting Rankings. However, the class ranks No. 8 in the Southeastern Conference. The Gators currently have eight commitments in the 2019 recruiting class.