Getting offensive linemen on campus has been an issue in the past but the new Florida Gators coaching staff has done a good job of getting prospects on campus for visits this spring.
That continued last Saturday when the Gators hosted offensive lineman Donavan Beaver (6-6, 275, Fredericksburg, VA. Massaponax) on a visit.
“It went well, I had a good time,” Beaver said of his visit to Florida on Saturday. “I watched spring practice, I got to sit down and talk with Coach [John] Hevesy and then I got a tour around the campus.”
This was Beaver’s first time on campus and enjoyed the atmosphere on and off campus in Gainesville.
“I really liked it, Florida is by far one of my favorites campuses,” he said of Florida’s atmosphere. “Florida was a big offer for me and I like the wildlife area of Florida. That part of Florida has always intrigued me.”
Offensive line coach John Hevesy spent the most time with Beaver on Saturday explaining how the lineman was wanted in Gainesville.
“Coach Hevesy is a real honest coach,” Beaver said of Hevesy and his message. “He said that he would like to have me on the team so he can coach me. We sat down and talked about why Florida is a good fit with my parents.”
Hevesy spent a lot of time talking with Beaver’s parents about the Gators goals in the future under Dan Mullen.
“He was just talking about Florida and their plan,” he said of Hevesy’s message to him and his parents. “He was saying that they have a plan for the next few years of what they want to accomplish.”
After speaking with Hevesy, Beaver went out and watched the assistant coach in action and he was impressed by the attention to detail from Hevesy.
“He’s honest, he’s not going to lie to you,” Beaver said of Hevesy’s coaching style. “He’s very big at technique, he was blowing up about hand placement even if it was only an inch off. He wants them to be great.”
Beaver and his parents spent a lot of time around the entire coaching staff and they walked impressed by the staff’s goals.
“They have a mission,” he said of the coaching staff. “You can tell they have a mission of what they want to accomplish. They have a goal.”
After the visit, Beaver admits that the Gators improved their chances with him but he’s not ready to name a leader.
“This visit peaked my interest in Florida,” Beaver said. “I still have to make a few more trips before I have any leaders but I would like to decide by the end of May.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Hevesy impressed Beaver during the trip and the lineman says distance won’t play a factor into his decision. Beaver really liked the atmosphere and the practice setting for the Gators.