The Florida Gators recruiting visitors list was a good one on Saturday for the South Carolina but Alabama offensive line commit Alex Leatherwood (6-5, 320, Pensacola, FL. Washington) was the guy who grabbed everyone’s attention.
Leatherwood ,who has been to Gainesville several time previously, made his first trip to the Swamp this fall and enjoyed the visit.
“It was fun, I enjoyed the game,” Leatherwood said when asked about the visit. “I enjoyed talking to the staff and being around them.”
Leatherwood had the opportunity on Saturday to the Gators play a lot of young guys and that’s something that caught his attention.
“It makes me feel good about the opportunity for me to come in and play early myself,” he said when asked if he likes freshmen playing early. “They need tackles bad and they need someone to play left tackle.”
Gators head coach Jim McElwain is the coach leading Leatherwood’s recruitment and they talk about everything not just football.
“I talk to Coach Mac the most,” Leatherwood said. “It isn’t always about football with him but he always tells me to come play ball here. We have a personal relationship too so our relationship isn’t all about football.”
When Leatherwood does talk to the Gators about football the message is very simple and to the point about how bad he’s needed in Gainesville.
“I like them a lot, they play a big role in my recruitment,” he said when asked about his interest in Florida. “They tell me to come play early, as we all know their line needs help and they’re struggling on the offensive line. So basically come in and make an instant impact.”
Leatherwood has been committed to Alabama for over a year now but he will make a final decision in December and he’s still trying to figure that out.
“It’s solid,” Leatherwood said when asked where his commitment is. “I don’t, I’ll just have to see [when asked if anyone can flip him] what happens. I’m kind of still iffy about it and I’m not dead set yet. I’ve got a general idea on things.
The Gators had Leatherwood in town for an unofficial visit on Saturday and they’re hoping to get him back in town next month but right now only one official visit is set.
“I’m going to the Iron Bowl for my official visit to Alabama,” he said. “That’s the only one scheduled right now. I still have to see on the other ones.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Leatherwood will have two weekends in December to take official visits and the Gators are trying to land the last one in December.