Jackson Hoyt, the standout quarterback and pitcher for Nature Coast High School, has officially committed to play baseball at the University of Florida. The senior southpaw, who has been a dominant force on the mound for the Sharks, took a break from his football duties to sign his National Letter of Intent, solidifying his future as a Gator.

Balancing Gridiron and Diamond Dominance

Prioritizing Football, Embracing Baseball

While Hoyt has been laser-focused on leading the Nature Coast football team into the playoffs, he carved out time this week to officially sign his baseball contract with the University of Florida. The decision to commit to the Gators' baseball program was a long-standing dream for Hoyt, who grew up as a devoted Gator fan."Just very excited," Hoyt expressed. "Very exciting moment being one of the only persons in my family to ever go to a big college." Despite his passion for football, Hoyt acknowledged that he had to push baseball to the side during the season, concentrating solely on his duties as the Sharks' starting quarterback.

Standout on the Mound

Hoyt's prowess on the baseball diamond is undeniable. In his junior season, the left-handed pitcher posted an impressive 4-1 record with a minuscule 0.54 ERA across seven appearances, five of them starts. In 38.2 innings, he struck out 67 batters while surrendering just 15 hits and 15 walks, yielding only three earned runs on the season and holding opponents to a meager .118 batting average.Nature Coast head baseball coach Dan Garofano praised Hoyt's accomplishments, stating, "He's a great representative of our school, of his family. He's a great kid and obviously an outstanding player." Garofano noted that Hoyt had verbally committed to the Gators even before throwing a pitch for the Sharks as a freshman, a testament to his exceptional talent and potential.

Gator Bound: A Dream Realized

Hoyt's decision to commit to the University of Florida was fueled by a lifelong passion for the Gators. "Florida's been my dream school since I was a kid," he revealed. "Both of my parents were Gators fans and they grew me into being a Gator fan at a really young age. And I've always just loved Tim Tebow and the atmosphere there."In addition to the sentimental value, the Gators' baseball program offered Hoyt an opportunity to compete at the highest level. The team has advanced to the College World Series nine times in the past 14 postseasons, more than any other program during that span. Hoyt's impressive high school resume, which includes an 11-4 record with a 3.21 ERA and 186 strikeouts across 107 innings, suggests he is well-equipped to thrive in the collegiate ranks.

Scouts Take Notice

Hoyt's standout performances on the football field have also caught the attention of Major League Baseball scouts, who have expressed interest in his athletic abilities and competitive drive. This could potentially increase the possibility of Hoyt being drafted straight out of high school, potentially altering his plans to play for the Gators."They (MLB scouts) like to see athleticism and they like see me show emotion and show how hard I'm going to play to win games," Hoyt said. "That's the goal, to get drafted out of high school. But nothing's going to be for sure until that time comes."As Hoyt continues to excel on both the gridiron and the diamond, his future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Sharks' star athlete has a bright future ahead, whether it's in the collegiate ranks or the professional arena.