Leonard George was the first African-American player to receive a football scholarship at the University of Florida. He was signed in 1968, ten years after the school was integrated in 1958. George went to Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida. He signed an athletic scholarship on December 17, 1968. He was a halfback. The following day Willie Jackson of Sarasota, Florida also signed a football scholarship with the University of Florida. Both players became varsity players in their second year at the school and started most games over the rest of their careers at UF.