It’s not common for Florida to host visitors during the week with most recruits choosing to come in during the weekend, but on Monday the Gators hosted tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe (6-4, 220, Suwanee, GA North Gwinnett) who had the chance to learn about the Gators’ offense.
“The visit went really well yesterday [Monday],” Imatorbhebhe said. “When we first got there they took us on a tour of the academics and we got to see the different departments they have. After that was over I met with Coach [Derek] Lewis and we talked awhile and we went over some X’s and O’s on the board. He showed me some cut-ups of the offense they are running now, the offense is a really good offense.”
Monday’s visit went so well that Imatorbhebhe started to feel at home in Gainesville and now has the Gators tied at the top of his recruitment list.
“As the visit went on I noticed myself getting more and more comfortable,” Imatorbhebhe said. “Florida made a good impression on me and they are on top with Missouri and Vanderbilt right now. I really realized how difficult the recruiting process is going to be. In a perfect world though, I would make my decision in the middle of the summer.”
One of the main reasons the Gators moved up for the talented tight end was the personality of tight end coach Derek Lewis.
“Coach Lewis is a real passionate coach and he demands a lot out of his players,” Imatorbhebhe said. “He wants his guys to be the best and he’s going to stay on you to make sure you become the best. His main point is that he wants you to listen so he doesn’t have to repeat himself and he says that goes for life too.”
While Imatorbhebhe was learning about Lewis as a coach he was also learning about how he would fit into the Gators new offense under offensive coordinator Kurt Roper.
“The coaches say they see me fitting in at the ‘B’ position which is like a tight end that moves around,” Imatorbhebhe said. “It’s good because it’s a position that you don’t have to weigh 280 to play but you still have to block. The B position also has a lot of routes for you to run and they showed me how if one route is covered up that another one will be open.”
Before the Georgia native headed back home to Suwannee, he had the chance to sit down with Will Muschamp who told Immatorbhebhe he was a wanted player.
“Coach Muschamp said that he likes me as a person and that he likes my character and that’s why he’s recruiting me,” Imatorbhebhe said. “He said that Florida fits me perfectly physically, athletically and academically. He was real cool though.”
Right now Imatorbhebhe doesn’t have any other visits planned but he’s trying to get back down to Gainesville this summer.
“I’m going to work something out so I can visit Florida again in the summer,” Imatorbhebhe said.