Instate recruiting is something that the Florida Gators recruiting board is full of for the Class of 2018 with the state of Florida being loaded at many positions.
One of those instate prospects the Gators are focusing on is athlete Amari Burney (6-1, 215, Clearwater, FL. Calvary Christian) who has co-leaders at this time.
“Florida and Ohio State are my co-leaders right now,” Burney said. “Just them producing defensive backs in the NFL is probably the best thing I like about them. They do it every year.”
Burney who plays both offense and defense in high school is being recruited by schools for both positions but the Gators are keeping things up in the air as far as a position goes.
“They tell me that it’s still in the air on where I’ll play,” he said on where Florida wants him. “They said it’s really up to me where I want to play but Coach [Corey] Bell and Coach [Kerry] Dixon both want me to play for them.”
The instate athlete has visited Florida many times but he has yet to meet new defensive backs coach Corey Bell but he hopes to do that soon.
“I just talked to him one time when he texted me and introduced himself,” Burney said on Bell. “He told me to come up there for a spring practice so I can get to know him more. I want to chill with him and see how he coaches and get a feel for him.”
Neither Bell nor Dixon is Burney’s main recruiter that title goes to another assistant coach who has a message for the Clearwater prospect.
“I usually talk to Doug Nussmeier the most,” he said on the coach he talks to from Florida. “He says he doesn’t care which position I play at Florida, he just wants on the roster for them. He said he likes the way I play the game.”
One thing is for sure is that Burney knows a lot about Florida because he has visited so many times and he credits that to the relationship his parents have with the coaching staff including Jim McElwain.
“They invite me back every time they have something and it’s close,” Burney said on what keeps him coming back to Florida. “My family says it’s only two hours away so we might as well go up there and chill with them. My parents are good with all of the coaches and Coach Mac talks to both my mom and dad a lot. They’re good with the coaches and have a good feel for them.”
The Gators and Buckeyes don’t have much longer to battle things out as Burney will be making a decision in the coming months.
“I’m announcing my decision on June 1st,” he said. “I want to visit both schools before June 1st. I’m looking to see which school I get the best feel for and look at the depth of the roster they have. And I want to ask both schools academics.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Florida has made Burney a priority since his freshman year and has really established a good relationship with Burney’s father. Burney likely ends up playing defensive back but he’s guy that can play in the SEC at receiver as well.