Last Thursday afternoon the Florida Gators had the opportunity to host a prospect that is committed to an instate rival on an unofficial visit.
2017 Miami Hurricanes tight end commit Tre McKitty (6-4, 225, Bradenton, FL IMG Academy) visited Gainesville to talk to several of Florida’s coaches including tight ends coach Greg Nord.
“It was pretty good, I talked to Coach Nord a little bit,” McKitty said of his Florida visit. “We talked about how I would be used in their offense and then I hung out with Coach [Chris] Rumph and Coach [Marquell] Blackwell. After that we went around on a tour of campus and then just chilled in their office..”
Defensive line coach Chris Rumph recruits the Tampa area where McKitty is originally from and that has helped Rumph build a great relationship with the Canes commit.
“Me and Coach Rumph have a great relationship with each other,” he said. “I probably have the best relationship with him over any of the other coaches I talk too. Coach Rumph said that they want me to be an every down tight end.”
Nord has been in constant contact with McKitty as the two are trying to build a better relationship and Nord is also giving his message about the Florida Gators.
“Coach Nord said he was really impressed with me and then he told me some stuff about him,” McKitty said of Nord’s message. “He was telling me that he wants to build our relationship better because he wants to coach me in college.”
Head coach Jim McElwain is known for his use of the tight end position in his offense and that’s something that sticks out to McKitty.
“I really like that Coach McElwain uses the tight end a lot; that means a lot,” he said. “I love it when coaches want to use my position, because I know that some coaches don’t use it a lot. It’s very appealing to me.”
McKitty committed to the Miami Hurricanes during the spring but that hasn’t stopped him from talking to Florida and other schools.
“I still have two years left until signing day so my options are still open for someone to change my mind,” McKitty said. “At the same time I’m still loyal to Miami but I’m talking to Florida.”
INSIDERS TAKE: McKitty plans to visit Florida on Friday for Friday Night Lights where he will be joined by Nate Craig-Myers and 2017 athlete Devan Barrett. Right now McKitty is listening to Florida a lot and this season the Gators could show him how much McElwain uses the tight end position.