QB chooses Florida over mother's wishes

Published Feb. 5, 2011 1:46 a.m. ET

foxsports

Jacoby Brissett gave his mother a long hug, then a rose.

She walked away disappointed anyway.

Brissett, who was the nation's top uncommitted quarterback recruit, announced Friday night he plans to enroll this fall at Florida, revealing his decision during his senior-night basketball ceremony at Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) Dwyer High.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Brissett - who was wooed by countless schools, including Wisconsin and Miami, plus was recruited by North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams - does not plan to send in his letter of intent to the Gators until Monday.

The way Ellicia Brown sees it, that gives her the weekend to change her son's mind. She wants him to attend Miami.

''Not my choice,'' Brown said. ''I'm very disappointed. I didn't like the way Florida handled the process. I've never been able to meet the head coach ... I've never met (Will Muschamp) face-to-face and I find that very disrespectful and I'm just hurt with the whole process with the Gators. I was hoping that he would respect me and go to 'The U' because 'The U' showed respect to his mom.''

Brissett completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,743 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2010. He has expressed interest in being a two-sport athlete at the college level.

He decided long ago not to sign his letter of intent Wednesday, when the overwhelming majority of players who committed to major-college schools made their decisions official. He wanted to add something special to his basketball senior night, so after wrapping his arms around his mom, Brissett took the microphone and made a short statement to the overflowing gymnasium.

''Next year I'm going to play at the University of Florida,'' Brissett said shortly before tip-off.

With that, some people in the bleachers - a few wearing Miami hats, shirts and other regalia - departed, and the crowd was mixed between boos and cheers.

Brissett told his mother of the decision by text message around 5 p.m. Friday.

''He knew I would be hurt and disappointed,'' Brown said. ''So he texted me.''