Playing time available for Bruce at UF

One of the bigger name prospects at the Florida Gators spring game on Saturday was Miami receiver commit Sam Bruce (5-8, 185, Fort Lauderdale, FL St. Thomas Aquinas) who got to see what he called a “better looking offense” on Saturday.

“I had a good time up there,” Bruce said. “It was a great experience up there. It was a great game and they definitely got the ball to their receivers. The offense looked good throwing the ball. I liked how the playmakers got the ball a lot and I feel like it was an offense that fit me.”

Head coach Jim McElwain has been the main recruiter of Bruce so far this year and the Miami commit says that McElwain makes him feel wanted in Gainesville.

“Most of the time that I talk to coach McElwain. We talk about other things besides football,” Bruce said. “We talk about school and things but he was stressing that he wanted me bad and that he wanted me to come back up there this summer for another visit with them.”

Receiver coach Kerry Dixon is the newest guy on staff and Bruce had never met him until Saturday, but the first meeting was a good one that Bruce plans to build on.

“Coach Dixon is pretty good guy from what I saw of him,” Bruce said. “I didn’t really get a chance to talk to him too much but we are definitely building a relationship and I plan to keep talking to him.”

Dixon and McElwain both made a point to tell Bruce how much of need playmakers were in Gainesville and because of that Bruce sees early playing time.

“If I do end up going to Florida I know that I would have to fight for a spot because nothing is given,” Bruce said. “I do feel like that I could play early there but I know that I have to work hard, that’s pretty much how it is.”

Bruce rode up to Gainesville with his good friend and Florida signee Jordan Scarlett and the two of them spent the night hanging out with current Florida players.

“Every guy on that team that I hung around was a great guy man,” Bruce said. “I spent most of my time with Kelvin Taylor and he’s an all-around great guy. I’m sure he’s going to do great things this year.”

After the visit to Florida Bruce admitted that he isn’t 100-percent committed to Miami but he left the door open on who’s running number 2.

“I have to say that I’m about 70 percent committed to Miami,” Bruce said. “I won’t say who is second right now but I’m really just focusing on the season right now and trying not to focus on the recruiting process.”

One thing that Florida has going in its favor right now is the relationship that Bruce and Scarlett have together and that’s an opportunity that Bruce would like to see continue in the years to come.

“It would definitely be a great thing to play with Jordan for a few years,” Bruce said. “It would be the icing on the cake but he isn’t pushing me too hard right now. He just tells me to enjoy everything right now.”

 

INSIDERS TAKE: Florida is the in the best shape of any team right now to flip Bruce and that will only increase as he continues to visit Florida either with Jordan Scarlett or to watch Scarlett this spring.

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.