#1 Recruit in Class of 2014, Caeleb Dressel, Commits to Florida

Caeleb Dressel of the Bolles School Sharks and Clay High School in Jacksonville, Florida has committed to the University of Florida, he told us Tuesday.

Dressel is the best sprint prospect we’ve seen coming out of high school since at least Vlad Morozov, if not ever; he’s the National High School Record holder in the 50 yard free (19.29), and has also been 43.29 in the 100 yard free, 1:34.69 in the 200 yard free, 55.19 in the 100 yard breast, 45.89 in the 100 yard fly, and 1:48.23 in the 200 yard IM. Even with those lofty numbers, based on his long course results it seems like he might have even better in him.

He holds 7 National Age Group Records, including 3 for 17-18’s: a group he only moved into at the end of the summer.

Dressel finished 3rd at this summer’s Junior World Championships in the 50 free and was the Junior World Champion in the 100 free (breaking a new Championship Record in the process). He’s the top recruit in the class overall, and by event ranks first in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free, and second in the 100 yard fly. Only his fellow Bolles club swimmer Joe Schooling beats him in that event – they’ve broken the public (Dressel) and private (Schooling) National High School Records this season.

Florida was a bit of a late-comer to the party for Dressel, as they were his final visit this past weekend. He has family ties to the school, as his dad went there. Dressel will be needed to replace the Gators’ outgoing sprint star Brad deBorde; deBorde’s success and improvements in four years there had to have been a factor in Dressel’s decision.