The Florida Gators recruiting board already has a quarterback commit for the class of 2017, which means offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and head coach Jim McElwain can look ahead to 2018.
On Friday, the Gators hosted 2018 quarterback Emory Jones (6-4, 179, Franklin, GA Heard County) and he enjoyed talking with both coaches during the visit.
“It was a great visit, I love the atmosphere of Florida,” Jones said. “I talked to Coach Nuss and Coach Mac and by just talking to them for like 15 minutes they showed me that they can develop me into a great quarterback. I liked them and I connected with them.”
Before the visit concluded on Friday, the quarterback received some big news from the Gators, albeit unexpected.
“Coach Mac was the coach that offered me,” he said of which coach offered him a scholarship. “Coach Nuss told me at first that he wasn’t going to offer me until he sees me throw in person, but Coach Mac decided to go ahead and offer. Coach Mac said he watched my film the day before I came on the visit and he said that he needed me to be a Gator.”
Jones, who admits he didn’t know a lot about McElwain before Friday, left impressed by the Gators head coach.
“I think he’s a great coach and I like him even more now,” Jones said. “I found out he’s hands on with the quarterbacks all the time and he thinks how the quarterback performs that’s how successful the team will be. They only have four quarterbacks now and he said he thinks that I will fit in great with their offense.”
Nussmeier is the coach that has recruited Jones for the last few months and spent a good amount of time with the quarterback on Friday.
“Coach Nuss said he thinks that I fit in great with the offense,” he said. “He loves how smart and physical I play the game. He’s a real cool guy and I feel like he would teach me to be a great quarterback if I go to Florida.”
During the visit on Friday Jones got to watch the Florida Gators scrimmage and he left impressed by the offense of the Gators.
“The scrimmage was real crisp,” Jones said. “They were throwing the ball more than usual, so that was good. The whole team looked good overall and the offense was making good completions and moving the ball.”
Following the Florida offer, Jones has is thinking about the Gators a lot and even plans to visit again.
“I don’t have a leader but I like Florida a lot,” he said. “I plan to visit Florida again soon and I want to announce probably around the end of the summer this year.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Jones impressed the coaching staff a ton and he’s someone that has his stock soaring as of late. Jones has received high interest from Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia early on in his recruitment.