The Florida Gators coaching staff hosted several big members for the class of 2018 on Saturday including some offensive linemen.
One of those offensive linemen was William Barnes (6-4, 290, Apopka, FL. High) who got the chance to meet new Gators offensive line coach Brad Davis for the first time on Saturday.
“It was a great visit, nothing is unfamiliar,” Barnes said of the Florida visit. “Every time I come up here I get to know the school a little bit more than I did the last time. It was my first time talking to Brad Davis face to face and he’s a great offensive line coach. From the way, I talked to him to the way he talked to me I could tell he’s looking out for me. It was a great visit all in all.”
First impressions are always big in any relationship and Barnes walked impressed by Davis and his personality.
“Just the way he spoke to me, the way he talked to my family about the school,” Barnes said of Brad Davis. “He just seemed like a really good man.”
The next step according to Barnes is to build a relationship with Davis and learn more about his coaching style.
It’s really important because he’s going to be my coach and I’m going to be with him most of my time up here,” Barnes said on building a relationship with Davis. “I need to learn more things about him.”
Barnes has been on the Gators campus so much that he doesn’t see a lot of news stuff but Saturday he got to experience something for the first time.
“I had never been to a college basketball game,” Barnes said on what stood out. “So, going to this Gator basketball game was my first NCAA basketball game so that was really enjoyable. Also, coming out with that win.”
While at the basketball game, Barnes got the chance to catch up with his good friend Martez Ivey and enjoy the basketball atmosphere.
“It was great. I love the environment up here,” he said on the environment at Florida. “I also got to talk to Tez today. He told me about the school a lot and coach and Coach Davis. It was great coming back up here and I just love the environment.”
Barnes says having Ivey in Gainesville is a good thing for the Gators because he has someone to talk too and look after him.
“It feels good so I’m not unfamiliar with the place,” he said on having Ivey around. “He tells me about it a few times. He’s always telling me I can go wherever I want but he’s giving me a heads up about Florida. He’s real chill. I like Tez a lot he’s really cool. I look up to him.”
Heading into the visit the Gators were one of the schools that stood out to Barnes and he says that’s still the case.
“Yeah Florida is still in my top schools because after talking with coach Davis I feel a bond coming on,” Barnes said. “So Florida is definitely still at the top. I’m still looking around but I should have my commitment soon.”
Despite saying he may have his commitment soon, Barnes says he may wait a good bit longer like Martez Ivey did.
“I think I may do it just like Tez did it, on signing day,” he said. “North Carolina, Auburn, FSU and Ohio State and some of those other schools I’m looking at visiting in the summer.”
The Gators are one of the teams to beat but an ACC school is the school right in the mix with the Gators according to Barnes.
“Probably UNC,” Barnes said on who’s closest to Florida. “Just like Coach Davis, I have a good bond with the offensive line coach and also the tight ends coach Chad Scott and it’s also a great school.”
On Saturday, Barnes had his family with him but they pull for different teams than the Gators but are open to Florida.
“My mom actually graduated from UNC so she’ll be on me about UNC,” he said of his family. “My dad is a little bit of an FSU fan but just like everyone else he tells me I can go wherever I please to go.”
A former Gators great and Heisman winner can be thanked for Barnes liking the Florida Gators so much.
“I had interest in this school because when I was younger, I used to really like Tim Tebow growing up,” Barnes said on what he likes about Florida. “ So when I see the school he came from I think I can benefit from a school like that. He’s such a great guy and seeing how that school shaped him, I think I could see myself going there.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Barnes says he plans to return to Florida for another visit for spring practice this spring. The Gators are in really good shape here and his relationship with Martez Ivey helps that out a lot.