Most of the Florida Gators’ focus this recruiting cycle has been on instate talent but two weeks ago the Gators offered a big time receiver from the state of Texas.
That receiver was Tyrie Cleveland (6-3, 180, Houston, TX Westfield) who received the news after talking to Gators receiver coach Kerry Dixon.
“The receiver coach, coach Dixon, was the one who offered me,” Cleveland said. “He was just asking me how I felt about Florida and what they do down there and if I was interested in Florida.”
During the conversation Dixon expressed the need for an upgrade at the receiver position and also told Cleveland he was a perfect fit for Florida’s offense.
“He said that he can see me coming in and making plays early for them,” Cleveland said. “He said that he wants me on the outside as a vertical threat in the offense. He said that they need playmakers bad.”
Usually head coach Jim McElwain is the one giving out offers, and while this instance was different, McElwain did speak with Cleveland recently.
“I talked to coach McElwain the head coach on Twitter but not over the phone yet,” Cleveland said. “He was just like, I come in and be a big impact player in the offense and help them make plays. He sees me a down the field threat.”
Cleveland may be playing in the state of Texas now but he’s originally from the state of Florida and there is a chance he could return home to play college football.
“I grew up watching Florida since I grew up in Jacksonville,” Cleveland said. “As I go through the recruitment process I’m thinking about Florida a lot because it would be a chance to go back home. I don’t have any leaders or anything right now so we will just wait and see what happens.”
This spring has been busy for Cleveland and he hasn’t taken many visits but he does know one visit he plans to take this summer.
“I’m definitely going to visit Florida this summer,” Cleveland said. “I would like to get down there and visit the campus again and meet all of the coaches. I want to see if Florida is a place that I can play early at and help them win a championship.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and Kerry Dixon both plan to visit Cleveland on Thursday so it will be interesting to hear his thoughts after he meets both coaches. A visit to Florida this summer would definitely show that Cleveland has serious interest in Florida.
Boy, do we need him. Come to the good guys…Go Gators.
Let’s bring it home, Mr. Cleveland. You are a rising star and we more receivers like you.