Mike Summers is ready for Branton Autry to be a Florida Gator

JUCO OL Branton Autry (6-4, 320, Coffeyville, KS JUCO) has been committed to the Florida Gators since May and he says that he still talks to offensive line coach Mike Summers and others on a regular basis.

“Things are going great with Florida, I talk to them everyday,” Autry said. “I talk to Coach Summers, Coach [Kirk] Callahan and to Coach [Tim] Skipper over the phone. I talk to them every day.”

Autry, who will graduate from Coffeyville in December, is hearing a strong message from Summers about the need for him once he gets to Gainesville.

“Coach Summers says that he’s ready for me to get down there because he needs me on the line,” he said of Summers’ message. “He said that I’m going to be a big part of the offense for next season on the line. He tells me that it’s up to me of whether I play guard or tackle because he wants me to feel comfortable.”

Not only is Autry close with Summers, but two other coaches have also made him feel comfortable with the Florida Gators.

“We have built a real good relationship so far,” Autry said of his relationship with the coaches. “Coach Callahan and Coach Skipper tell me all the time that they are glad that I’m going to be apart of the team and they can’t wait to have me on campus.”

Autry is one of the top offensive linemen in the country and despite his commitment to Florida, other schools are still calling him. He says,however, that he knows where he’s going to attend college.

“A lot of schools are still recruiting me but I’m going to Florida,” he said. “Arkansas, Baylor, Ole Miss, Arizona State and Louisville are all trying to recruit me but I tell them that I’m going to Florida.”

In June Autry was able to visit the University of Florida for the first time and he will return in November with his teammate as Autry hopes to get him in the Orange and Blue with him.

“The only official I have planned right now is for Florida,” Autry said of official visits. “I’m going to take my official to Florida when they play Florida State. My teammate Jamarcus [King] is coming on an official with me for that game too. I’m still recruiting him to come to Florida.”

INSIDERS TAKE: Autry said that he still plans to take all five of his official visits so that he enjoy the trips but that he’s going to Florida. Autry seems very set on the Florida Gators and it would take a lot for that change.

 

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.

2 COMMENTS

    • That’s the plan. They would love to have Ivey and Sharpe hold down the tackles spots and let Autry replace Thurman.