The Florida Gators had a surprise official visitor on campus last weekend when defensive tackle Kyree Campbell (6-4, 320, Woodbridge, VA. Wyoming Seminary Prep School) visited the Gators.
While on campus Campbell decided to commit to the Gators over Penn State and he says several things went into that commitment.
“I felt comfortable there and so did my mom,” Campbell said on why he committed to Florida. “My mom is a big part of my recruitment so I need her to love where I’m going. She loved and she fell in love with it. I’m happy about that. Also, another key was everyone knows Florida’s depth chart right now so there’s a chance that I could come in and possibly play early and that is a key.”
“Florida is just a great school, I’ve never been there before this was my first time there. It’s a beautiful campus and the people there are kind and Florida fans are just real football fans.”
With this being the first time on campus Campbell had a lot to see but he says the visit overall was a good one.
“The official visit was great, it was phenomenal,” Campbell said. “I loved it, my family loved. I couldn’t have asked for a better official visit. They really treated me well.”
The Gators almost didn’t get Campbell on campus last weekend but thanks to a last second phone call he chooses to visit Gainesville over another school.
“Florida has been recruiting since my sophomore season but this visit was just so unexpected,” he said. “I had gotten a call from Drew Hughes and I was supposed to be going to Penn State this past weekend for an official visit. He asked me to come down for an official so I was like wow I’ve been to Penn State before so why not go to Florida.”
While on campus Campbell had the chance to meet defensive line coach Chris Rumph and the coached played a big role in getting the tackles commitment.
“Another big key for me was Coach Rumph, he’s a great defensive line coach,” Campbell said. “He truly cares about his players and he really feels like I can play everywhere on the defensive line. He’s hilarious and he’s a jokester alright.”
Head coach Jim McElwain had several talks with Campbell during the weekend and they all centered around one message.
“Coach Mac was just telling me to enjoy myself and that they had a need for defensive tackles in this class,” he said of his conversations with McElwain. “He said that he wanted me to be the guy in the class and to come in and work hard. He wants me ready to play next year.”
Now that Campbell has his commitment out of the way he’s ready to enroll in school and he doesn’t plan on sitting on the bench in Gainesville.
“I’m enrolling at Florida in January,” Campbell said. “I have four years well actually five years if I need a redshirt year. They said they don’t want me to redshirt, though.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Florida was able to get Campbell because of a connection McElwain has with the defensive tackles prep coach. Campbell who was highly recruited out of high school has the potential to play next year at a spot of need.