Byrd sees a fit in the Florida Gators offensive scheme

The Florida Gators landed a tight end on Friday night but they are looking to take two tight ends in the class of 2017 after not taking one in 2016.

Tight end Zech Byrd (6-6, 236, Millbrook, AL Stanhope Elmore) is one of the top targets at tight end, and he was in Gainesville last Friday night to see the spring game.

“The visit was good,” Byrd said. “I liked the Swamp, it was pretty good. I liked the offense and it’s an offense that I could see myself playing in. I’ll probably talk to C’yontai [Lewis] about it.”

Recruiting coordinator Drew Hughes and tight ends coach Greg Nord spent a lot of time with Byrd and they both had a different message for him.

“Coach Hughes is just trying to get me back up here for a game,” he said. “Coach Nord just tells me that he likes me a lot and that he wants me to put on a Gator uniform and play for him.”

Nord showed Byrd a lot of film of the tight end position and the spring game also showed the tight end a lot about the offense.

“I like that the offense throws the ball to the tight ends a lot,” Byrd said. “I liked the way Deandre Goolsby plays and how involved he was in the offense [Friday.]”

Head coach Jim McElwain also met with Byrd during the visit and made sure to let the tight end know that the Gators want him in Gainesville.

“Coach McElwain said when it’s all said and done that he knows I’m going to be a Gator,” he said. “I just said ‘yes sir’ when he told me that.”

Next up for the Alabama tight end is a trip to the instate school and a decision isn’t coming anytime soon.

“I’m visiting Alabama on Saturday,” Byrd said. “I’m going to decide on signing day next year.”

INSIDERS TAKE: Byrd doesn’t talk much in interviews, but the Gators did a good job of impressing the tight end during the visit. Alabama and Florida will battle for him down the stretch as Byrd fits in well into both offenses.

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.