The Florida Gators coaching staff hosted several guys on campus on Friday including a few guys committed to other schools and other instate rivals.
One of those prospects was Miami defensive back commit Randy Russell (5-11, 180, Miami, FL. Carol City) who enjoyed his visit on Friday night.
“This is a home, it’s great to know that they want me to come here,” Russell said of Florida. “It’s a great feeling to have.”
Russell liked Florida a lot before he committed to Miami this winter and he says that Florida is still a school he likes a lot.
“Florida is a prestigious school and the fans here are crazy,” he said of what he likes about Florida. “The business program and the medical program are good. To get a degree from here says something. I really like Florida.”
Defensive backs coach Corey Bell has been the lead recruiter for Russell and he says they have a great relationship that dates back a few years now.
“Coach Bell is one of the first coaches to actually recruit me,” Russell said of Corey Bell. “The relationship goes far beyond him being at Florida and extends to him being FAU and South Florida. It has been a long relationship and it’s strong. We talk on levels that extend past football.”
The Gators have had a lot of success in South Florida recently and Russell says that he knows several of those guys that have signed with Florida.
“Florida is become very popular with defensive backs,” Russell said of Florida recruiting in South Florida. “I know all of the guys that are coming here. I know Chris Henderson and Brian Edwards. I’m really good with them.”
Those recent signees have all talked to Russell about the Gators and why they chose Florida.
“We all came down on a visit together and just relaxed and hung out,” he said of the South Florida signees. “They just tell me that they loved Florida and what they heard and seen from the coaches has stayed true. They say it’s love and feels like home.”
After visiting Florida on Friday, Russell admits that he’s still looking at several schools including Florida and Michigan.
“I’m still committed but I’m still going through the process,” he said. “I like what I’m hearing from Florida and from other schools. I’m just enjoying the process and going through the whole process.”
Russell says that the Gators are a team on his mind and he says he will know whether or not he’s supposed to be at Florida or not.
“Just for me to just have that gut feeling that it’s the right decision,” Russell said of what it would take to flip him from Miami. “I feel like everything happens for a reason so if it’s meant for me to be at Florida then it will happen.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Florida has continued to recruit Russell since he committed to Miami and Corey Bell and Randy Shannon have developed a great relationship with him. The Gators will get an official visit from him this fall.