HIGH-SCHOOL

Former Buchholz football standouts Jaren Hamilton and Gavin Hill announce new homes after transfer

Jaren Hamilton and Gavin Hill starred for Buchholz football. Two years after leaving Gainesville, the two are leaving the SEC and heading to new homes.

Portrait of Noah Ram Noah Ram
Gainesville Sun

Two former Buchholz Bobcats are on the move.

Jaren Hamilton and Gavin Hill committed to SEC powerhouses two years ago after excellent high school careers on the west side of Gainesville.

Hamilton, a four-star wide receiver, signed to Alabama, while Hill, a four-star defensive lineman, signed to Florida.

This offseason, both decided to move on.

Hamilton transferred to Big 12 champion and CFP No. 4 seed Arizona State on Monday. He confirmed the news by tweeting out "#activatethevalley". Hill, meanwhile, announced his transfer to Florida A&M on Friday.

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In two seasons in Tuscaloosa, Hamilton struggled to find playing time. He redshirted his freshman year and played six offensive snaps. Last season, he played 30 snaps and had one tackle on defense.

This is a far cry from high school, where Hamilton went down as one of the best wide receivers in Alachua County history. Hamilton spent his first three seasons at P.K. Yonge. In his junior season with the Blue Wave, Hamilton had 671 yards on 30 catches. He transferred to Buchholz for his senior season, where Hamilton really took off.

The top-50 ranked WR had 42 catches for 985 yards and 16 touchdowns and was the Sun's All-Area Big School Offensive Player of the Year.

Hill, meanwhile, had 60 career tackles and seven sacks as a Bobcat. The 29th-ranked defensive lineman in the country, Hill committed to Florida. He redshirted his freshman year and didn't see the field.

This past offseason, Hill moved to tight end — a position he played occasionally at Buchholz. Hill transitioned to help block near the goal line. However, he didn't receive any playing time in 2024, either.

Hill entered the transfer portal on December 11. Hamilton, meanwhile, entered on January 2.

Creed Whittemore, who played quarterback for the Bobcats alongside Hamilton and Hill, also transferred this offseason, leaving Mississippi State for Utah.

Noah Ram covers Gainesville-area high school sports and University of Florida athletics for The Gainesville Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him by email at [email protected] and follow him @Noah_ram1 on X/Twitter.