In 2015, 7-year-old Will Griffin sat eagerly in front of his TV, eyes glued to the NFL draft.

The Bucs held the first pick, and Florida State’s Jameis Winston and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota were vying for the top spot. Excitement flowed through Griffin’s veins — until the pick was Winston.

Disheartened, the young Florida fan immediately packed his Bucs paraphernalia into a box, put it outside and told his parents to donate it. Even at a young age, Griffin’s allegiance to the Gators ran deep. Seeing a Seminole chosen first was unbearable.

Fast forward nine years, and Griffin — now a quarterback himself — has worked out with both Winston and Mariota.

But Griffin never let go of that Florida fandom. Instead, he embraced it and let it fuel his drive to play college football.

As he prepares to enter his junior season at Jesuit High, he will do so as a Gators commitment.