Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin has shown that he is one of the best recruiters in the nation and this week he spent a lot of time recruiting the state of Virginia.
One player that Durkin visited was defensive end Clelin Ferrell (6-5, 220, Richmond, VA Benedictine School) who is still looking for a Florida offer. Durkin spoke with Ferrell about the process and explained to him what the coaching staff wants to do before extending a scholarship offer to him.
“Florida hasn’t offered me yet but Florida State recently did,” Ferrell said. “Florida did come by to see me on Wednesday though. Coach [D.J.] Durkin came by to see me and he told me to call later that evening, so I did. He was telling me that the defensive line coach wants to watch my tape before he offers me but once he sees it then he will call me back.”
The Gators may be the next to offer Ferrell who has over 25 offers but first defensive line coach Brad Lawing will put eyes on his film.
“Coach Durkin said that he likes the way I played and that he wanted to offer me but that he wanted Coach Lawing to see it first,” Ferrell said. “Coach Durkin said that he thinks that Coach Lawing will agree with him and that they will offer me soon and be in touch.”
While Durkin did wasn’t able to extend a scholarship offer, he did make a good impression on Ferrell.
“It was really surprising to see Coach Durkin in my school,” Ferrell said. “It was the first time a coach from Florida has come by our school. It was real nice to see him though and he seems like a good guy. I know he has a good reputation of being a good coach and a good recruiter so.”
If Florida does offer Ferrell, he believes that he could fit into UF’s defense well based off of what Durkin told him on Wednesday.
“He said that programs are now looking for more longer defensive ends now because the game is more passing,” Ferrell said. “Coach Durkin said that I would fit in well with what they are trying to do at Florida and they need pass rushers on the team. He said that I’m the type of a player that can make things happen on the end.”
Ferrell like many other kids his age grew up watching the Gators during the glory days of Tim Tebow and that gives him interest in Florida.
“Yeah I have a lot of interest in Florida,” Ferrell said. “Growing up I always watched Florida and Tim Tebow was the thing then and Percy Harvin was good too. I also liked the other quarterback Chris Leak who won the national championship. Everyone knows about the Swamp down there.”
Despite not yet holding the offer from Florida Ferrell says that a visit to Gainesville this summer is likely to happen as he tries to find his school.
“I will probably visit Florida this summer,” Ferrell said. “I’m really open in my recruitment so I’m trying to take as many visits as I can this summer to help me make my decision.”