Florida Gators make a huge leap in Grimes’ recruitment

The Florida Gators may be playing catch up when it comes to 2017 wide receiver Trevon Grimes (6-3, 195, Ft. Lauderdale, St. Tomas Aquinas) but Saturday went a long way in Grimes’ recruitment.

“They definitely just made the atmosphere comfortable for me. They made me feel like I fit in here,” Grimes said. “One of my biggest things is me feeling welcomed at a school, so I definitely felt welcomed today and felt like I could pursue the school a lot more.”

The South Florida native has been favoring the Ohio State Buckeyes for some time now. Ohio State was one of the first teams to offer the talented receiver a scholarship and have been is leader for some time. Although Grimes attends St. Thomas and calls South Florida home now, he isn’t a Florida native. Grimes was born in Indiana and has ties to Big Ten country. Grimes only moved to South Florida to help aid his development as a football player. The fact that Ohio State has recruited him hard since he was a freshman and his family ties in Indiana have the Buckeyes leading his recruitment.

“I love everything about Ohio State right now. Their (receivers) coach Zach Smith, me and him just have built a bond since my freshman year,” he said. “I’m all about chemistry and bonding. I feel like me and him have our closest bond. Coach Urban Meyer, me and him have a close bond, too. I feel welcomed at Ohio State.”

Meyer and the Buckeyes may have a leg up right now, but Florida isn’t alone in recruiting Grimes. 2017 Florida quarterback commit Jake Allen is Grimes’ quarterback at St. Thomas and Allen has taken it upon himself to help recruit players in his class, especially is go-to receiver at Aquinas.

“He’s in my head every day. I have class with him and every day he talks about Florida to me,” Grimes said. “I don’t see why he wouldn’t. He’s just doing a little recruiting, and honestly, it’s helped me out a lot.”

Allen will help Florida but he won’t be Grimes determining factor. The bulk of the work must be done by Florida’s staff, who, by no fault of their own, is still behind in the 2017 recruiting class due to the fact that they’re only entering their second season at Florida. Kerry Dixon is focusing in on finishing the 2016 recruiting class strong, but he took time this weekend to sit down with Grimes and try to build a stronger relationship. Grimes says his strongest relationship is with Dixon but Jim McElwain is personally getting involved in this recruitment.

“I actually got to sit and talk with [McElwain]. He talked to my mom and my dad, too,” Grimes said. “He just told me where this program is going and what he plans on with me if I come. I definitely feel like me and him are going to build a strong relationship and get closer over the years.”

With his quarterback by his side and the Florida Gators coaching staff rolling out the red carpet, Grimes has moved Florida up in his recruitment. Florida hasn’t quite jumped Ohio State but they have a full year to do so as Grimes doesn’t plan on committing any time soon.

“I would put them there at No. 2. Ohio State has a pretty decent lead. They’ve been since I was nothing, but I definitely feel like Florida closed that gap a lot,” he said. “I came up and honestly can’t say anything bad about it. I love it and I want to get back up here soon.”