GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Top247 defensive back Chauncey Gardner visit Florida with his family this past Saturday. The trip to meet with the Gators’ new coaching staff ended with the 6-foot, 185-pound prospect recommitting with the Gators.

Gardner previously committed to Florida last June, but backed off that pledge in January during the transition between staffs. He is back on board now.

“Honestly, I’ve been telling everybody a top ten or a top three, but I knew it was going to happen today because I developed a bond with the coaches, my parents developed a bond,” Gardner explained. “Okay, we’re not just talking about football, we’re talking about life and how it’s going to impact me. I knew because it’s the best fit for me.

“Like I said, who wouldn’t want to be in their own back yard? I mean, it’s Florida, that’s why it’s a great experience.”

Gardner went on to detail how he informed the coaches.

“It was me, my mom, my dad, my uncle, Coach [Kirk] Callahan, Coach Dixon, Coach Rowe and also Coach Jim. I was basically saying my dad - check, my mom - check, my uncle - check, and I’m checked. Then, I’m back.

“Now I have a coach that I actually know that’s from my hometown with coach James Rowe. He can help me out while I’m here, just keep my head on straight.

“When everybody found out, it was crazy, ecstatic.”

Where will Gardner fit into Florida’s defensive scheme?

“I’m really known as a cornerback or safety, just all around because I’m a stud. I’m just blessed and can come in and play.”

The four-star prospect says he is now working on getting a few other recruits to join him in Gainesville.

“I’m trying to get my boy Spencer Perry and my offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor. I’m trying to get [Ohio State 2017 commit] Bruce [Judson], but who knows what he’s going to do. I’m trying to get my boy Tyrek [Tisdale] and start up something great.”

Gardner has now committed to Miami once and Florida twice, all before his junior year has ended. Does this latest pledge totally shut down his recruitment?

“Right now, I’m solid to the Gators and I’m not really putting much thought into other schools because who would want to leave this? This is a great atmosphere, people here are great, stadium is great, life after school with work.”

The 247Sports Composite, an industry generated average, currently ranks Gardner as the nation’s No. 114 overall prospect in the 2016 class.