The Florida Gators have been had some big pass rushers come through Gainesville lately and they’re now trying to restock the position.
Later this month the Gators will host one of its top defensive ends/pass rusher when Jarez Parks (6-3, 253, Sebastian, FL. River) visits Gainesville.
“I already visited Florida State and Alabama and I’m going to visit Florida and Auburn in January,” Parks said. “I’m either going to Florida on the 13th or on the 27th and then Auburn the other date. I’m not sure yet on North Carolina.”
For a while, it seemed liked Florida had faded on Parks some but the defensive end says two coaches are after him and giving him a warm southern feel.
“I’m hearing from Coach [Chris] Rumph and Coach [Kerry] Dixon at Florida,” he said. “Florida is a very southern school and from where I’m from right now we have the same kind of feel. We have the same type of vibe.”
The Gators coaching staff hasn’t been able to get Parks on campus much but they’re still connection well with the defensive end.
“Both of those coaches are great guys and care about you a lot as a person,” Parks said. “They make you feel like they’re your uncles or something close to you and not just coaches. That’s a good asset for them and makes me comfortable when I’m up there.”
Parks is a guy that mostly put his hand in the dirt and rushes the passer but he can also drop back into coverage some and the Gators could use him in both ways.
“Florida said they will use me in various ways depending on the front they’re in,” he said. “They say that they have an idea of how they want to use me but they want to move me around based on my athletic ability.”
After visits are over with Parks plans to announce a decision and he says he knows what factors will go into his decisions.
“It’s going to be wherever my mom feels comfortable sending me off too,” Parks said on his decision factors. “And where I agree with her on but ultimately it will be my decision. She’s going to be on all of my visits to help me.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Parks is someone that Florida has always had a great chance with since the defensive end wasn’t expected to go far from home. Parks’ family is also full of Florida fans and that helps Florida. There was some buzz that Parks would commit to Alabama while at the Army game but with that not happening his recruitment seems to be wide open.