In years past the Gators have fallen short of their target number of offensive linemen in recruiting classes and in 2014 Florida is making sure it doesn’t fall short.
With five already committed in the class the Gators are bringing in another lineman for an official this weekend in offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste (6-6, 270 Miramar, FL High).
“I’m taking an official to Florida tomorrow,” Cajuste said on Thursday night. “I’m very excited about the visit. I fly up Friday morning by myself.”
Gator fans just learned about Cajuste on Thursday evening when he said he would take an official but Florida has actually been recruiting the Miramar lineman for some time now.
“Florida has been recruiting me for a while now even before coach Tim Davis was fired,” Cajuste said. “I talked to coach (Mike) Summers but I haven’t talked to the new offensive coordinator yet. Coach Summers told me that he liked my tape and when he first got the job that I was one of the first he called. He said that he really wants to keep me in the state of Florida. He wants me at tackle in the offense.”
Cajuste wasn’t aware if he was currently holding an offer from Florida or not but Travaris Robinson told him on Thursday that he holds an offer from the Gators and that could mean big things for this weekend.
“I found out on Thursday that Florida had offered me already,” Cajuste said. “It’s a possibility that I could commit to the Gators this weekend.”
The offensive lineman may be from South Florida but growing up it was the team in Gainesville that Cajuste was rooting for.
“Growing up I was a Florida Gators fan,” Cajuste said. “I like everything about the Gators really. I know that even though they had a bad season they can do way better and that they are a BCS caliber team every year.”
With just three weeks until signing day things are getting tight for Cajuste who says that he is down to just three schools with two visits left including this weekend’s visit to Florida.
“I’m down to Florida, West Virginia and Samford,” Cajuste said. “West Virginia actually wants me to gray shirt. I haven’t really talked to West Virginia lately but I’ll find out more from them when I go visit them on the 24th.”
I hope the coaches see something others don’t see. He seems to be committed to the Gators now since his only other offer is Samford. West Virginia offering a grayshirt doesn’t mean much. I guess he’s a replacement for Angus, who I guess has had his offer withdrawn because of academics. Offensive linemen are very hard to evaluate and he could easily be as good or better than higher ranked prospects.
IMO he’s a guy that Florida likes but wants to wait and see how things go with Damian Prince and Andrew Mike first.