Florida leads for a 2016 TE

A number of underclassmen came to camp at Florida looking for an offer from the Gators over the last weeks including 2016 receiver/tight end Jacob Mathis (6-5, 216, Tampa, FL Berkeley Prep).

“I visited two weekends ago for Florida’s camp,” Mathis said. “It was a good time because I like the school a lot. I like the weight room and all of the facilities there but I wanted to go in the locker room but they were filming a commercial in there so we couldn’t go in there but I’ll be back to see it.”

During the camp Mathis was able to play multiple positions and get coached up by tight ends coach Derek Lewis and receiver coach Chris Leak.

“I worked out at tight end but during one-on-one’s I worked out with the receivers,” Mathis said. “I got to work with Coach Leak and Coach Lewis. Coach Leak was working with me on my route running and getting off of contact.”

Being from the Tampa area Mathis has already developed a relationship with Derek Lewis and the two actually speak quite often.

“Coach Lewis is a great guy, he’s one of my favorite coaches there,” Mathis said. “He recruits my area too. I talk to Coach Lewis every week and sometimes twice a week. We have a great relationship and he has a passion for a game that I like.”

Mathis’ ultimate goal was to leave Gainesville with an offer from Florida and he did just that after speaking to Will Muschamp.

“Coach Muschamp offered me after I left camp,” Mathis said. “He gave me a background of the school and asked me if I had any questions and then went over the academics that Florida has to offer. He told me that I would be a great fit for the program and that he wasn’t going to pressure me into any kind of decision right now.”

During Mathis conversation with Muschamp in the football offices he learned about where the coaches see him fitting into Kurt Roper’s offense.

“They want me at H-Back in Coach Roper’s offense,” Mathis said. “They call it the B position so I would be playing a flexed out receiver position in the offense.”

Now that Mathis has the offer and knows where he would play he says the Gators are a top contender for his signature in 2016.

“Florida is only two hours away so my friends and family could come watch me play so that’s a good thing,” Mathis said. “I like the school as well and Florida is definitely up there at the top.”

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.