Three team fight for Holland

Florida had linebacker Jeffrey Holland (6-1, 225, Jacksonville, FL Trinity Christian) on campus since Wednesday but the Gators coaching took a laid back approach to his visit.

“It was great. I just hung out with the players, just hung out, really,” Holland said. “It really wasn’t a recruiting trip. They didn’t take it as a recruiting trip I just came to hang out and chill with the coaches. Florida doesn’t really have anything else to show me.”

For Holland, he feels comfortable around Will Muschamp and his coaching staff because he knows that they look out for their players. It’s something the coaching staff has told him and something he has experienced first hand.

“I know that Coach Muschamp takes care of his players at Florida,” Holland said. “That’s my big thing and my family’s big thing was that they want coaches who will take care of me.”

Despite the long visit to Florida, the Gators still haven’t pulled out to a lead for the Jacksonville linebacker but they are in his top group.

“Florida, UCLA and Auburn are my top 3, right now I would say they are neck and neck,” Holland said. “I’m going to hit UCLA on Monday. My parents are going to fly me out there because they really want me to see it and experience for myself.”

A decision is something that Holland is looking forward to getting out of the way but it may be awhile before he makes an announcement.

“I’m real close to my decision but I just need to sit down and talk with my parents,” Holland said. “It’s probably going to be in the middle season because I’m an early enrollee.”

One thing that Holland is waiting on before deciding is whether or not the Gators rebound from last year.

“I want to wait and see how Florida does this season,” Holland said. “I want to make sure everyone is still going to be here before I make any kind of decision.”

Florida will have the chance to show him on the field the first few weeks of the season, plus they will host him on another visit this fall.

“I’ll probably take officials to Florida, UCLA and Auburn before I make a decision,” Holland said.

 

INSIDER TAKE: I think Florida has a great shot to land Holland if they show that last year was a fluke and that Will Muschamp and his staff will be back next year. Holland likes Auburn and with his family ties there they will be a team that sticks around until the ends of his recruitment.

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.