A great senior season has paid off for Derrick Kelly (6-5, 268, Havana, FL East Gasden). Now that his final year of high school football is finished and college coaches have seen his film, recruiting has taken off and the Florida Gators have taken notice.
“Florida offered me two weeks ago,” Kelly said calmly. “It was Coach (Will) Muschamp that offered me. He told me that he liked me as a player and he talked to my head coach about me too. He said that he liked my film and size and that he wanted to offer me a scholarship to come play tackle for Florida. I visited Florida twice this year and I like the program and I think they will get everything right there.”
Before the offers from Florida, Florida State and LSU poured in the Havana prospect was committed to Kentucky but has since opened things up.
“I recently decommitted from Kentucky,” Kelly said. “I’m open to everyone but Florida is at the top of the list and I talk to them the most. I will officially visit Florida this weekend then I will officially visit LSU on January 17th. I haven’t set any besides those two right now. I want to make my final decision on signing day.”
Although Florida doesn’t have an offensive coordinator or offensive line coach, Kelly says he still likes the program a lot and understands the move had to be made.
“I really like Florida a lot,” Kelly said. “Florida is not far from home and they play in the SEC. I think they have a good program and are going to get back on top soon. I understand it’s all business with the coaches and I’m cool with that. That really doesn’t make a difference to me right now.”
This weekend Kelly will head up to Gainesville to see all of the ins and outs that the university has to offer but he has a few things he wants to see for himself.
“I’m looking forward to see what all they have to offer,” Kelly said. “I want to see what they have academically and I’m looking for a good family environment. My parents and my brother are going to be with me on my visit this weekend.”
Jeff Choate checked in on Kelly on Monday to finalize all of the plans for this weekend’s official visit.