The Florida Gators hosted its first junior day of the 2018 recruiting cycle but most didn’t expect a certain rising junior to be on campus Saturday.
Former Clemson offensive lineman, and Tampa native, Jake Fruhmorgen took his first visit to Gainesville since he was recruited by Will Muschamp and his staff in 2013.
“It’s good. It’s kind of funny seeing familiar faces,” Fruhmorgen told Gator Country. “It’s cool coming back and see the facilities and the new facilities like the indoor and stuff.”
Fruhmorgen was an Army All-American in 2013 and considered Florida during his first recruitment. He eventually eliminated Florida due to the coaching staff being on the hot seat. Fruhmorgen chose Clemson, where he started 13 games over two seasons before a shoulder injury ended his 2016 season.
Shortly after the season Fruhmorgen decided that he just wasn’t the right fit for Clemson and announced that he would be transferring away from the program. Having been able to play for a National Championship team, Fruhmorgen believes he has a better perspective on what he’s looking for during his second go around as a recruit.
It feels weird. I feel like a little kid again. I kinda know what to look for in a team now,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it and just trying to make the right decision this time. “I did two years of college football, so I know what I’m looking for.”
Fruhmorgen hasn’t narrowed down a list of potential schools but he wants to make a decision “sooner rather than later.” He mentioned LSU as another school he was interested in, but when speaking about Florida and what appealed to him about the university, distance seemed to be a factor.
“It’s more appealing (now), closer to home,” Fruhmorgen responded when asked if Florida is more appealing now than they were when he was a senior in high school. “They’re definitely successful. Coach Mac has brought in a good coaching staff; good players and they’re doing well. I always watched the Gators, even at Clemson.”
Due to NCAA transfer regulations, Fruhmorgen will be ineligible to play in 2017 but has a redshirt season available to him, meaning he would have three years to play two seasons. He resisted redshirting when he first got to Clemson, but an older, more experienced player now he sees the benefits of being able to sit out for a season.
“I want to sit out a year. I need to get a little stronger and it would be better for me, more beneficial as an offensive lineman. That’s something that I wished I had known back then,” he said. “Getting redshirted is a good thing. It doesn’t mean your not good at all. It just means your not there yet.”
Fruhmorgen had the chance to meet with the Florida Gators new offensive line coach on Saturday “He’s great. He’s really enthusiastic,” he said of Davis. “I liked that he’s very forward with you, very honest with you a very smart guy. I like that a lot.”
He also had the opportunity to meet with Jim McElwain, who made sure to let Fruhmorgen know he is more than welcome in Gainesville.
“I like Coach Mac,” Fruhmorgen told Gator Country. “He’s upfront and honest with you. He said they’d love to have me here. He’s happy I came up.”