Instate prospects dominated the first junior day under Dan Mullen for the Florida Gators on Saturday as the Gators look to once again lock down the top guys in the state of Florida.
Defensive end D’Sean Perry (6-3, 225, Miami, FL. Gulliver Prep) was one of the guys that made the visit on Saturday and he liked junior day under Mullen.
“It went well, I enjoyed the campus and all it had to offer,” Perry said of the junior day visit. “It was a great experience for me and I got to talk to Coach Brian Johnson, Coach Dan Mullen and I also got to talk to Coach Todd Grantham.”
Mullen and his staff had the day planned out to the minute for the prospects as Saturday was busy for Perry while he was on campus.
“We got to take a tour of the campus and facilities first,” he said. “We met the new coaches and see how student athletes live their lives on campus and what they do in order to get the best grade possible for their classes.”
The change in atmosphere around the football staff is something that many people have noted so far under Mullen and Perry also noted that after Saturday’s visit.
“They were very welcoming,” Perry said of the atmosphere at Florida. “They welcomed me to the campus with open arms and they were very helpful with where to do and what to do.”
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham spoke at length with Perry on Saturday about playing the defensive end position.
“He talked about strategies to get to the quarterback for my position,” he said on his talk with Grantham. “He said that I should come back down to a spring practice sometime to watch them.”
Grantham also made sure to explain to Perry that the Gators need players at his position in this class.
“He said that they need pass rushers this year,” Perry said. “Because of the switch of defenses from a 4-3 to a 3-4 they need more rushers. I think that he sees me standing up but also with my hand in the ground some. He said whatever is comfortable to me.”
Head coach Dan Mullen didn’t beat around the bush with his direct message to Perry on Saturday.
“He just said that I look good in the orange and blue,” he said of Mullen’s message to him.
After Saturday’s visit the Gators improved their chances with Perry after he was able to meet everyone for the first time.
“I’ve always loved the Gators and I believe that they’re a great program and this visit was incredible,” Perry said of his interest in Florida. “But I’m still going through the process and evaluating schools. I would say that the chances for Florida were bumped up.”
Perry likes Florida and a few other programs but he isn’t rushing his process.
“I don’t really have a set timeline to decide, he said on when he wants to decide. “But I think I would make the right decision when the time is right.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Florida definitely improved its chances with Perry on Saturday but he’s not ready to make a decision anytime soon.