The south endzone of the Swamp had an unexpected visitor in it as a new name appeared on the Florida Gators recruiting list on Saturday night for the Gators game.
Michigan offensive line commit Kai-Leon Herbert (6-5, 284, Fort Lauderdale, FL. American Heritage) was one of a dozen prospects on campus Saturday in what Herbert called a “great crowd.”
“It was a good night, it was like any other night in the Swamp,” Herbert said of Florida. “It was pretty good, the game was very energetic. It was good being back there. It was very loud but I was at games last year so I know it can get louder. It was a family feeling.”
Herbert wasn’t originally scheduled to visit Florida but a last minute call from Gators quarterback commit Jake Allen changed those plans.
“I really wasn’t planning on visiting until Jake asked me to go,” he said of why he visited. “I told him of course I would go. Who wouldn’t want to go to a college football game.”
The offensive lineman committed to Michigan over the summer but that hasn’t stopped the Gators pursuit of him.
“I still talk to Florida some,” Herbert said. “Coach [Mike] Summers texted me and told me that he was glad that I came up for the visit and that he was glad to see me. He said that he was happy that I came.”
After the game was over with Herbert got the chance to speak with offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.
“Jake and I talked to Coach Nuss after the game a little bit,” he said. “He told me that it was great having me back in the Swamp. He wants me to come back up again.”
Herbert being an offensive lineman played close attention to the Gators line on Saturday and a freshman tackle impressed him.
“The offense played better, especially Jawaan Taylor on the offensive line,” Herbert said. “He did really good and I know the coaches are non stop talking about him. Luke Del Rio also did really good for the conditions.
This visit seemed to have made an impression on Herbert but he had a simple response when asked about his interest in the Gators.
“I’m committed to Michigan,” Herbert said on his interest in Florida. “I don’t know about any other visits right now.
INSIDERS TAKE: Florida will continue to recruit Herbert in hopes of flipping the Michigan commit. Herbert has several people around him including two commits on his team working him hard towards Florida.