Florida is loaded with top pass rushers on the current roster but the coaching staff is looking to build some strong depth along the defensive line.
Last week, the coaches paid a visit to O’Fallon (Ill.) High defensive end Dewayne Hendrix, considered by many as one of the top prospects at his position.
“Coach (Brad) Lawing visited me last Monday,” Hendrix said. “He was telling my coach how they want to use me on defense and how I would I fit into the defense and stuff. They want me at the strong side defensive end position. Coach Lawing told my coach that they really want me and need me to come to Florida.”
While the 6-foot-4, 264-pound Hendrix has yet to visit Florida, he has had plenty of conversations with defensive line coach Brad Lawing and head coach Will Muschamp.
“I’ve talked to both coach Lawing and coach Muschamp a lot,” Hendrix said. “I’ve known coach Lawing for a while now and we have good conversations. He has a good track record of developing players. With Coach Muschamp, I’ve talked to him a few times and he just tells me that he wants me and that he wants me to get down to see their campus and meet him and the whole coaching staff in person.”
Hendrix is not only impressed by Brad Lawing’s experience, he is also impressed by what Florida has been able to do in the past with defensive ends.
“I like Florida a lot,” Hendrix said. “They do a great job of winning in the SEC, which is the best conference in football. They always have a great defense and good defensive ends. They also get a lot of their players drafted in the league, especially defensive players.”
Hendrix says he doesn’t have a a top group, but he does admit to Florida being high on his list of schools.