Florida Gators recruiting notebook for May 3rd

The Florida Gators recruiting momentum seems to be picking up over the last week or so as the Gators coaching staff is on the road recruiting.

While every prospect the Gators see isn’t one with an offer, the coaching staff is evaluating each player for a potential offer.

That case was displayed on Monday night when the Gators offered defensive tackle Jordon Scott after Florida watched him practice last week for the first time this spring.

In this notebook GatorCountry.com will detail how a few visits have gone with the Gators coaching staff over the last few days, plus get you caught up on a few other prospects.

The Gators are looking to load up on some defensive linemen in the class of 2017, defensive coordinator Geoff Collins visited one of their top targets last Thursday.

Defensive end Jarez Parks (6-5, 255, Sebastian, FL River) was the prospect that had Collins by his school and according to the pass rusher it went well.

“Coach Collins visited me on Thursday,” Parks said. “It went great, they aren’t able to talk to me but he’s very energized when he comes around.”

Collins spoke over the phone with Parks on Thursday about how the Gators could use him and it was good conversation, says the end.

“I called him on Thursday night to talk to him more,” Parks said. “He said that I’m going to be a Gator and that I would fit in perfect into their defense scheme as a pass rusher. I talk to Florida a lot.”

Offensive line coach Mike Summers spent last Monday in the Jacksonville and south Georgia area where he visited athlete Deejay Dallas (6-0, 182, Brunswick, GA Glynn Academy) at his school.

“He was at my school during workouts to watch me,” Dallas said. “I spoke to him that night and it was short and the point. He said that they want me as an athlete and that I can see where I fit best at once I get there. It will either be at receiver or defensive back.”

Dallas recently announced a top 10 list, but he says the Gators will make the next cut and that he plans to return to Gainesville soon.

“I have a top 10 but I want to narrow it down more and I will say that Florida is going to make my top 5/6 schools,” Dallas said. “I’m going to take some visits this summer and I want to get back down to Florida soon.”

One of the top 2018 receivers in the sunshine state is receiver Warren Thompson (6-4, 185, Seffner, FL Armwood) and he received a visit from receiver’s coach Kerry Dixon last week.

“It was Coach D [Dixon] that came by, we have a great relationship with each other,” Thompson said. “We talk all the time and he’s always cool and joking around. He matches my personality.”

When Dixon and Thompson spoke last week over the phone the receiver’s coach had a few pointers for the 2018 receiver.

“He was telling me to keep staying grounded,” Thompson said. “He said that technique is what puts guys on the field and separates the good from the great players.”

Thompson who has already visited Florida once says he plans to return again soon because he has a lot of interest in the Gators.

“I’ll be back up sooner than later because like Coach D said ‘it’s nothing but a jump, skip, and hop there,’” Thompson said. “I have a lot of interest in Florida because I’ve been a long time fan of the school because of Matt Jones, Alvin Bailey and Josh Grady. Those are guys I grew up knowing and wanting to follow in their foot steps.”

The Gators who signed three good linebackers in 2016 is still looking to add more in 2017 and linebackers coach Randy Shannon visited one last week.

Linebacker Nick Smith (6-3, 198, Orlando, FL Dr. Phillips) who doesn’t currently have an offer from the Gators got the chance to show off his skills to Shannon during practice.

“After practice was over I called him and he said that he loved the way I play and he loves my motor,” Smith said. “He was able to see play a lot of safety and linebacker so I was able to show him more of my coverage skills. They want me as an outside and inside linebacker.”

During the conversation a potential offer did come up as Shannon explained what the next step was for Smith.

“He said that they want me to come up and workout in the summer for them,” Smith said. “I plan to come up for that camp and hope to earn an offer from them then.”

Defensive back A.J. Terrell (6-2, 170, Atlanta, GA Westlake) made news on Monday when he announced his top six schools on Twitter.

Terrell listed Florida, Auburn, Alabama, South Carolina, Clemson and Georgia in his top group of schools but the Gators and Georgia are the teams most believe to be at the top.

Defensive backs coach Torrian Gray visited Terrell on Tuesday at his school.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.