The Florida Gators are still dealing with problems on the offensive line, which means that they’re still searching for my bodies in recruiting for the class of 2016.
Last Saturday the Gators hosted Vanderbilt offensive line commit Braden Kopp (6-6, 280, Houston, TX Houston Christian) on a visit and he’s a prospect that Florida just started recruiting recently.
“It was an awesome visit,” Kopp said. “I got in and went straight to the Gator Walk. I got to meet with Coach Mac for a little bit and then I really enjoyed the game. The Swamp is in incredible place. On Sunday, I met with Coach [Randy] Shannon and Coach [Mike] Summers and also went on a tour. I also got to go to an academic meeting.”
Offensive line coach Mike Summers met Kopp for the first time on Saturday but Summers has been watching a lot of tape on Kopp as of late and he shared his thoughts with the Vandy commit.
“Coach Summers just said that he really liked how I finished blocks,” he said. “He said that he knows that my best football is ahead of me and that my upside is really high. He’s kind of a quite and intense guy but he has a funny side too.”
Florida Gators linebacker coach Randy Shannon recruits the state of Texas for Florida and he’s the coach that has been recruiting Kopp recently.
“I’ve been talking to Coach Shannon for the last week or so,” Kopp said. “Coach Shannon has been a head coach, he’s a big time coach and I was impressed that he was the guy recruiting me. Coach Shannon just said that he was impressed by how long and athletic that I am. They really like how mobile I am and they like my upside.”
Since this was the first trip to Gainesville for Kopp, the offensive lineman was in shock at how loud Ben Hill Griffin Stadium was for a noon kick-off.
“The Swamp is awesome, the fans were electric during the game,” he said. “The stadium is big time and there is really nothing like it in college football. I was really impressed.”
Two weeks ago this visit was something that Kopp could’ve only dreamed about but that all changed when the Florida Gators reached out to him recently.
“Florida just started recruiting me last week so this visit was kind of a last minute deal to get out there,” Kopp said. “The coaches have told me that they want to get to know me better and then we will talk about an offer real soon.”
The Florida Gators have yet to extend an offer out to Kopp but that should change soon, and if it does, then Kopp plans to explore the Gators more.
“An offer from Florida would be something that I would’ve to consider,” he said. “Florida is an awesome place and a school that is on the upward trend right now. They are competing for a national championship now. They have great academics as well.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Kopp is a guy that, if Florida were to offer him, then I think the Gators could land him. Kopp has a lot of potential and is a guy that can play inside or outside if the Florida Gators needed him too.