The Florida Gators make the cut for Nasirildeen

The Florida Gators had a very successful spring, as they were able to host several big name prospects on campus to watch spring practices and meet with the coaching staff.

Athlete Hamsah Nasirildeen (6-5, 210, Concord, NC High) was one of those prospects who visited this spring when he came on campus for the Orange and Blue game earlier this month.

“It was a great trip, the Swamp was nice and the night atmosphere was good,” Nasirildeen said. “I got to talk to the coaches and that was nice. I talked a lot to Coach [Torrian] Gray and I got to meet and talk a little bit with Coach Mac [Jim McElwain] during the trip. It was great.”

Defensive backs coach Torrian Gray didn’t brag according to Nasirildeen but he made sure to let the athlete know his resume for putting players in the NFL.

“Coach Gray was just letting me know that he had a reputation of producing good safeties,” he said of Gray’s message. “He said that he likes big safeties and that I can fit into what he’s trying to do at Florida with the defensive backs.”

Gray also made sure to let the athlete know that the Gators are losing several players on defense this year.

“He said he needs players at his position bad,” Nasirildeen said. “He said that Florida wants elite players and that they’re going to recruit elite players and that’s what they see me as.”

Head coach Jim McElwain, like he often does, talked to Nasirildeen more about life and the university then he did football.

“Coach Mac said that I was welcomed at Florida and that he was looking forward to having me back down there,” he said of McElwain’s message. “He was letting me know how Florida and the coaching staff was going to prepare me outside of football for the rest of my life. He was telling me things that will help me after football.”

Since Nasirildeen left campus a few weeks ago several Florida coaches have kept in contact with the talented North Carolina athlete.

“Florida talks to me daily, me and Coach Gray communicate daily through Twitter and then I call some,” Nasirildeen said. “Florida is really recruiting me the right amount right now I would say.”

Florida did enough during the two day visit in April to put itself in the running for Nasirildeen as he just recently cut his list to five schools.

“My top five schools are Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State and South Carolina,” he said. “I’m not sure when I’ll make my decision because I have some more time to do that. I want to take some more visits too. I for sure will get back down to Florida.

INSIDERS TAKE: Nasirildeen is a guy that can play safety or outside linebacker at the next level and he’s trying to early enroll in college. The Gators did a good job of impressing the athlete during the spring but just need to continue to get him back on campus.

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.