BY JEFF COCHRAN

jcochran@gainesvilletimes.com

The Red Elephants still need one more win to solidify their future, but Gainesville receiver Tyler Adetona only needed one more weekend to solidify his.

Adetona, a senior, committed to Troy University over the weekend, making him the second Gainesville player to commit to a Division I-A school. Linebacker Keith Wells committed to Florida State before the season started.

"I just felt comfortable at Troy," he said. "Plus, I wanted the opportunity to play in the same type of offense I am in now. ... Troy’s offense is really good."

Adetona has 11 touchdowns and 1,059 yards on 65 catches this year. His 11 touchdown receptions leads the county.

The senior was also receiving interest from schools like Indiana, Marshall and Middle Tennessee State. He also has a trip as a recruit to The University of Georgia planned for Saturday when the Bulldogs will be playing his future school, Troy.

"You can’t sleep on Troy," he said. "After a big win like last weekend (over Florida), Georgia needs to be ready. ... I’ve got to go and support my team."

Adetona visited Troy on Oct. 20, when the Trojans beat North Texas 45-7. He said last weekend just felt like the right time to make it official.

"Everything is going by so fast," he said. "It is easy to get yourself caught up in it. I wanted to be on the top of that list. I didn’t want to let it go and miss out on something."

Adetona’s teammate and fellow receiver Gerald Ford is also receiving interest from Troy. Adetona is adamant about keeping the duo together.

"I told them that if they can get Gerald, now or even as a (junior college player), do it," he said. "That’s my running partner. It would be fun to play with him for another four years."

Gainesville visits West Hall Friday in its regular season finale. A win guarantees the Red Elephants a spot in the playoffs.