Gators commit Sharif Denson named to Under Armour All

On Thursday, Bartram Trail four-star rated cornerback Sharif Denson was presented his Under Armour jersey for being selected to compete in the All-American game in January.

Denson sported a full black Under Armour sweatsuit as family, friends and teammates celebrated the highly touted cornerback.

It's the latest honor on a long list of accomplishments for the senior. Denson has picked up multiple All-First Coast selections during his time with Bartram Trail and was honored as a 2022 Super 11 selection this year.

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But according to his recruiting coordinator, the star corner didn't even want to have a ceremony for the accomplishment. He said Denson wanted to keep the focus on his team.

"That's the thing about Sharif. He didn't even want a presentation today," coach Chad Parker said after the ceremony. "He wanted it to be about his team. He didn't want it to be about him. You’ve got to respect a guy like that and admire a guy like that. That has all the success and all the accolades he's ever wanted in life but makes it about everybody else."

Parker described Denson as a "team-before-self player" and noted that he views him as close enough to be a part of his family.

In the past, the Bears had teams littered with star players. This year Denson is the most heavily recruited player for Bartram. But he doesn't brag or look for attention.

"The thing about it, these guys just play together. He's a big part of that," Parker said. "He includes everybody. I feel in years past we’ve had a bunch of superstars with a bunch of offers. This year we only have two real high-profile guys that are really being recruited heavily. But those guys they play for each other, and they don't care about that stuff. They just want what's best for each other."

Denson has racked up 22 total tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble for the undefeated Bears this season.

He had a standout performance during Bartram's district winning victory against Buchholz, not allowing any catches to their star receiver in the contest. It's a snapshot of the impact he makes every week.

He leads by example for Bartram and elevates the play of his teammates by because of his mindset. He's always looking at ways to become better and challenges teammates to do the same.

"I’ve never really liked those guys that were at the top of their team but led the team in the wrong way or portrayed themselves in an ‘It's all about me’ type of way," Denson said. "It's really just about being sure everybody around you is getting better and, in that process, you’ll get better along the way."

Throughout his career he's recorded 143 total tackles, four interceptions and two forced fumbles. He gets the "star" cornerback treatment from most of the teams Bartram faces, with opposing quarterbacks avoiding his sector of the field at all costs.

The Bears are 40-7 in the four years that he's been a part of their program.

Ahead of the last regular season game for the senior, they’re undefeated and ranked as the highest team in their classification. They have underclassmen who’ll likely carry the mantle next season and beyond.

And for Denson, that was the goal.

"I love it. That's the ultimate goal," Denson said on Thursday. "I just wanted to leave a legacy here as a man who put everybody before him and helped everybody else out. He wasn't focused on himself or (his) accolades. I was just, ‘How can I help you? What you want to do today to get better?’"

Denson committed to Florida over the summer and picked up an Alabama offer just before the season. He said on Thursday that he remains locked in with the Gators as signing day approaches next month.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, we’re locked in still," he said while smiling. His dad wore a white polo shirt with a Gators logo on it during the ceremony. "Still a couple of communications with a couple of other schools but my pledge is my pledge."

Denson is a member of the No. 9 overall class in the nation as they’re currently ranked according to 247 Sports. It's a jump from the No. 17 spot occupied by the Gators last year for their 2022 recruiting class.

Florida has logged verbal commitments from five defensive backs in the 2023 class and five local players have already committed to play for first-year head coach Billy Napier's Gators.

When asked if he wanted people to know anything about him, Denson's reply was straight to the point.

"I’ve got that one percent everyday attitude. So, if I had a bad game or if I did bad here, just know that's not the best version of me currently. Cause I’m always working," he said.

Denson and the Bears will likely enter the playoffs as the top seed in 4S as they try to compete for a state championship.

Juston Lewis is a sports reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @JustonLewis_.

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