The linebacker from Wyomissing, Pa., confirmed the news to the South Bend Tribune on Thursday with a text message. He's expected to enroll at Florida in the coming days.
Anzalone declined to explain why he made the switch, but his decision came in the wake of Brian Kelly's interview with the Philadelphia Eagles becoming public knowledge.
On Tuesday night, Anzalone was interviewed by the Tribune and confirmed his plans to arrive at Notre Dame this weekend.
The decommitment puts the 2013 recruiting class at 22 verbal commitments and cuts what was once considered the best unit of linebacker recruits in the country to three players: Jaylon Smith, Doug Randolph and Michael Deeb.
The 2013 Irish recruiting class has developed a tight bond, calling itself the Irish Mob. Players regularly talk to each other via social media. Word of Anzalone's flip brought out some public dissension.
Wide receiver James Onwualu, who will enroll this weekend, first tweeted about the news.
"Have fun at Florida bro..... Glad I'm more mature then some people! Sticking by my dudes @Mheuerman9 @DevinButler_7 and the rest of the mob," Onwualu wrote.
Cornerback commit Devin Butler used a few tweets to express his frustration.
"Honestly just lost a lot of respect for this dude.. Thought it was a close friendship," one tweet read.
"I found out thru other people.. Why couldn't you stick it out and wait for a decision like everybody else? What makes you so special?" asked another tweet.
Quarterback Malik Zaire, who also is enrolling at ND for the coming semester, couldn't hold back his disappointment either.
"Man what the hell Alex that was low. 2 days before you report u go somewhere else? Its all good well see you down the road," Zaire tweeted.
Anzalone's final destination of Florida ends a winding recruiting trail.
He was first committed to Ohio State but ditched that pledge around the same time that a registered sex offender was found to be taking pictures with recruits on visits, including Anzalone.
A verbal commitment to the Irish came from Anzalone in July and all things seemed calm until he made an unofficial visit to Florida for its game against LSU on Oct. 6. Anzalone delayed a return visit to Notre Dame and ended up reaffirming his commitment to the Irish after that early November visit.
Anzalone's defection not only serves as a visual crack to the 2013 Irish recruiting class, but also marks the loss of a top talent. He ranks in the top 50 players nationally on both Rivals.com and 247Sports.com after a senior season in which he rushed for 1,442 yards and 29 touchdowns and made 103 tackles.
His switch alone jumped the Gators to No. 1 over No. 2 Notre Dame in Rivals' team recruiting rankings. Earlier in the day before Anzalone's switch, ESPN dropped the Irish from No. 1 to No. 3 in team rankings after newly adjusted player rankings.
CBS Sports Recruiting Analyst Tom Lemming said defections like Anzalone's are to be expected when uncertainty arises with a head coach.
"It gives the other schools an opening.," Lemming said. "It's the worst time of year. With only three weeks left in recruiting, it couldn't happen at a worse time. There could be more to come if it stretches out."
The other five commits scheduled to arrive on campus this weekend for early enrollment plan to stick to their commitment.
Staff writer Tyler James:
tjames1@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6214
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