Hunter planning more fall visits including the Florida Gators

DBU, as the Florida Gators have been called in the past, is low on numbers and that has shown during the 2016 football season when guys are injured or simply need a break.

The Gators coaching staff has put a big focus on defensive backs in the 2017 recruiting class as they plan to sign a big number of prospects at the position

Safety Devon Hunter (6-1, 205, Chesapeake, VA. Indian River) is one of the top safeties in the country and he’s hearing from several schools including Gators head coach Jim McElwain.

“Florida, Virginia Tech, Michigan, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Alabama and Auburn talk to me the most,” Hunter said of his recruitment. “Coach [Mark] DeBastini, Coach [Torrian[ Gray and Coach Mac are the three coaches from Florida that hit me up the most. Coach [Geoff] Collins sends me a text every now and again too.”

When Hunter speaks to the Gators, he says that the message is pretty simple during the season.

“The basically just tell me to focus on the season and play hard,” he said of Florida’s message right now. “They tell me to let the process come to me and not to rush anything. They said not to make any decision that I’m going to regret.”

Defensive backs coach Torrian Gray has a long relationship with Hunter and his message is that he’s needed back in Gainesville.

“Coach Gray tells me that he needs defensive backs bad,” Hunter said of the coaches’ messages. “Coach Mac says that I look pretty in the Orange and Blue. He hits me up every day and talks about everything like football, school and family. He just wants to get to know me more as a person.”

Hunter hasn’t taken but one visit this fall and it was to the school closes to him but he plans to travel more this fall.

“I visited Virginia Tech this fall that’s all,” he said of fall visits. “I’m probably going to the LSU/Florida game and I’m trying to plan an official visit to Michigan and Notre Dame too. It will be an unofficial visit to Florida.”

The big time safety that has over 30 offers is trying to narrow things down but he has schools he needs to see first.

“I’m not really rushing the process but it’s going by quick,” Hunter said of his plans. “I’m trying to visit some schools that I have in my top 11 so I can knock it down to three or four schools.”

Hunter isn’t sure when he will cut his list down but he’s pretty sure one school will make the cut.

“I feel like they will[on if Florida will make the cut], they’re high up there,” Hunter said laughing.

 

INSIDERS TAKE: It continues to look at a two-team battle between Florida and Virginia Tech for Hunter. The safety says he doesn’t plan to take his recruitment till signing day but isn’t sure exactly when he will announce his decision.

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.