Defensive ends and speed rushers have been a focus for the Florida Gators recruiting efforts this year and on Saturday and they had a key visitor.
Defensive end LaBryan Ray (6-4, 255, Madison, AL. James Clemens) was on campus on Saturday and liked the Swamp and the atmosphere.
“The visit went well, I got to down there with my aunt and uncle and they have family down there,” Ray said. “I got to see the atmosphere for the first time, my other visit was just a regular visit so this was the first time that I’ve able to see everything that happens on a game day there. It was a good visit.”
Ray has been able to see some electric crowds but he admits that the Swamp was one of those stadiums he wanted to see.
“The atmosphere was great, I had heard a lot about the Swamp,” he said. “I’m glad that I came down there and was able to see it for myself. It was pretty loud in there.”
Defensive line coach Chris Rumph has been the main recruiter of Ray so far and the two got a chance to talk on Saturday.
“Coach Rumph said he would love to have me as a player and he was glad that I came down there,” Ray said. “He told me that I could play early if I come in and play. I had my eyes on the young guys during the game and it’s important to at least be in the rotation. I look at those things because it’s important.”
Gators head coach Jim McElwain also spoke with Ray on Saturday and he drove home a key message to the defensive end.
“It was good to talk to Coach Mac and he said that Florida likes me,” he said. “He told me that if I come to Florida that not only would they help me four years but after football too. The connections that come with a degree from the University of Florida degree are good and it impressed my aunt, my uncle and me. That’s important also because football has to end one day.”
After the visit on Saturday, Ray said he still doesn’t have any leaders but he admitted that the Gators helped themselves.
“I’m very high on Florida, I like what Coach Mac is doing down there,” Ray said. “I like how they’re rotating the young guys in and I like the way the coaches coach. They play fast and get after the quarterback a lot. They reassured me on things.”
Not only did Florida help themselves with Ray but also with his family who made their first visit to Gainesville with their nephew.
“My uncle liked the visit,” he said. “My aunt did too, they had a great time down there. They got to meet all of the coaches and they got to talk to Coach McElwain and it was good. Everything went good.”
Alabama has been the school talked about the most with Ray because of distance from home but the defensive end says his family doesn’t mind the distance.
“My family tells me to go make the best decision for me,” he said. “They really don’t care where I go as long as I make the best decision for me. It’s nice to have family down in Gainesville though.”
Next up for the elite pass rusher is official visits and he already knows who will get them.
“I’ve set up official visits to Tennessee and Mississippi State already,” Ray said. “I know that I’m going to take ones to Florida, Alabama and Ole Miss too. I’ve just got to set those up.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Right now it looks like a three team race between Tennessee, Alabama and Florida but the edge has to be given to Alabama at this point. Ray is high on Chris Rumph and really likes Coach McElwain.