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Jesuit left-hander Gibson to play baseball at Florida

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By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 13, 2009

Jesuit High rising senior baseball player Daniel Gibson, the ace of the Tigers' pitching staff, has verbally committed to the University of Florida.

Gibson, a left-hander, said he had interest from several schools in the Southeastern Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference and a few other programs around the nation, but ultimately chose the Gators over Notre Dame and USF.

"I wanted a place where I had the opportunity to get better at baseball and have chance at the College World Series, but also a place to get a great education. Florida had the complete package," Gibson said. "It's close to home, but not too close, and it has great academics. It gave me a comfort zone and it was a place where I felt I fit well in."

Gibson was a Tribune All-Hillsborough County first team pick as a junior. He finished the 2009 season with a 9-2 record while posting a 2.08 ERA and striking out 67 in 67.1 innings pitched.

"Daniel obviously put himself in a situation where he had a lot of schools interested," Jesuit coach Richie Warren said. "I just think he felt comfortable with the coaches at Florida and the distance [between Tampa and Gainesville] so his mom and dad could watch him play."

Gibson said Monday he is glad to have the recruiting process over with a little more than three months left until the early signing period begins in November.

"When I first started the recruiting process, I thought what I wanted to do was wait a little longer toward National Signing Day until I made a decision. As I thought more and more I wanted to make quickest decision but the right decision, and I think I did," Gibson said. "Now I can just focus on working hard and getting better in better shape and getting ready for season that's coming up."

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