The Florida Gators recruiting efforts have been big this week. It all started on Monday when defensive coordinator Geoff Collins visited a big prospect.
Collins was in Orlando and he visited Auburn offensive line commit Calvin Ashley (6-8, 311, Orlando, FL First Academy), where he spoke to Ashley’s coaches.
“Coach Collins came by the school on Monday to visit me,” Ashley said. “He can’t talk to me but he told my coach that he wants me to come up to Florida for a visit and that he wants me to go to Florida. He said that they need me up there.”
Offensive line coach Mike Summers wasn’t on the visit, but he speaks weekly with Ashley as the two try to build a good relationship.
“Coach Summers is the coach that I talk to the most from Florida,” he said. “Coach Summers is a nice guy and I have a good relationship with him. He’s been telling me that they need lineman and he has just been talking to me and recruiting me. He’s a good coach too.”
When Ashley and Summers talk the message is straight to the point about needing him and it’s a position the Auburn commit likes.
“I know that they don’t have that many guys and Coach Summers said that they need tackles,” Ashley said. “It’s a good spot to go in and play young when you first get there. It’s a great thing to do for a young guy.”
Head coach Jim McElwain isn’t letting his assistants do all of the recruiting of Ashley, as McElwain speaks weekly with the Auburn commit as well.
“I talk to Coach Mac on the phone too,” he said. “He tells me to stay home and rep the state of Florida. We have a great relationship with each other and we’ve been talking since last year. I would say we have a strong connection.”
Ashley, who has been committed to Auburn since last year, is leaving the door slightly open for other teams and that includes the instate Florida Gators.
“I’m going to get up to Florida this summer for a visit,” Ashley said. “ I want to check them out. I’m still solid to Auburn but I’m going to still take my visits and all. I’m going to take my official visits and I know Auburn and Florida will get one.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Ashley is one of the top offensive linemen in the country and is a huge need for the Florida Gators recruiting class in 2017. The Gators have to just keep recruiting Ashley as he’s leaving the door open for other teams.