Last Friday the Florida Gators football staff had several big name prospects from the state of Alabama visit the Gators while on their way to IMG for the 7-on-7 National Championship.
2017 linebacker Will Ignont (6-1, 241, New Market, AL Buckhorn) was one of those prospects who visited Gainesville and he spent a good bit of time with Florida Gators linebackers coach Randy Shannon.
“It was pretty good, I had a good time,” Ignont said about the visit. “I had fun talking to Coach Randy Shannon because we didn’t talk much football, but we talked about what I want to major in and stuff like that. That’s what I liked about him is that he was talking to me about life in general.”
Shannon’s history of coaching great linebackers with the Miami Hurricanes speaks for itself and that’s something Ignont knows all about.
“I definitely think that Coach Shannon can get me to the next level,” Ignont said with a lot of pride in his voice. “That’s one of things I like about him. He’s someone that I would like to work with in college because his record of coaching linebackers. He’s coached guys like Ray Lewis so I know if I was to go there then he would get me into the NFL.”
Head coach Jim McElwain knows about the talent in the state of Alabama and he let Ignont know that he was glad to have him on campus last week.
“Coach Drew Hughes was the coach that offered me after I spoke to Coach McElwain,”Ignont said about his Florida offer. “He said that they were excited about me and that they wanted me to come back for a game this fall. They said they really want me to come to Florida.”
Ignont is a two-way player in high school but he admits that he’s tired of taking the hits and he told McElwain that he wants to be the one dishing out the punishment in college.
“We were just talking about football and Florida,” he said of his talks with McElwain. “He asked what position I preferred and I told him linebacker, because that’s what I want to play at the next level.”
The Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers are the teams to watch with Ignont, but he admits that the Gators are a team he’s excited to watch and learn more about.
“Growing up I always wanted to play in the SEC,” Ignont said of his interest. “I’ve always wanted to get an offer from Florida because they are one of the schools that you think about when you hear SEC football. My mom and I are excited about the offer.”
Florida will get a chance this coming fall to keep the momentum alive with Ignont as the big play linebacker plans to be in Gainesville.
“Instead of going to the Iron Bowl this year, I’m thinking about going to the Florida-Florida State game,” he said. “I want to see a game live and in person at the Swamp.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Ignont is going to be a big time player in the class of 2017 and really likes Florida Gators linebackers coach Randy Shannon. Ignont talked very highly of Shannon and that will help Florida stay in the race here.