Campbell talks Florida and Roper

One of the top players in Bradenton, Florida this weekend for the 7-on-7 National Championship is receiver George Campbell (6-3, 184, Tarpon Springs, FL East Lake) who is playing both offense and defense this weekend but prefers one side of the ball more.

“I’m a team player so I’ll play wherever I have to in order to win the game,” Campbell said. “I do prefer to play receiver though and that’s what I’m going to play in college at the next level.”

Campbell has visited Florida several times this year and has met offensive coordinator Kurt Roper and is excited about the upcoming season on offense for the Gators. Campbell will  be keeping a close eye on how Roper can turn around the Florida offense.

“Coach Roper is a good coach and he’s going to get it right now,” Campbell said. “It’s his job to get the offense going and do the right things to get it going. I’m looking forward to seeing him coach this year on the field.”

Being a big receiver many believe that Campbell would be a better fit in the pro-style offense but he disagrees.

“It doesn’t matter to me that Florida moved to the spread offense,” Campbell said. “Whatever offense that will develop me into the player that I need to be is fine with me. I feel like I’m a guy that can play in either offense.”

The Florida coaching staff has help when it comes to recruiting Campbell. They will, of course, contact George as much as they are allowed per NCAA regulations but there’s one current Florida commit that isn’t restricted by NCAA rules and he’s been in Campbell’s ear a lot since committing to Florida.

“Yes sir, I’ve talked to Sheriron a little bit on Twitter and through messages,” Campbell said. “We just talk about life and what California is like. We don’t really talk about recruiting much except he tells me that he wants me on his team. We have developed a pretty good relationship and he’s a good guy and smart guy.”

The star receiver decommitted from Michigan earlier this year and he has since been quiet when it comes to recruiting. With throngs of media in town for the IMG 7-on-7 national championship, Campbell chose to remain mum about his future plans.

“My visits are just coming and going,” Campbell said. “I’m playing all of my visits by ear right now because I’m focused on winning state championship and not recruiting. I could care less about recruiting right now except for me going to the Opening in July.”

INSIDER TAKE: Campbell has yet to speak to new receiver coach Chris Leak but Kurt Roper has been in communications with the receiver. Campbell is likely to visit Florida for Friday Night Light in July but besides that visit everything else is up in the air.

Right now I feel like Florida is the team to beat here but Clemson is still in the picture and Alabama is another team Campbell talks about a lot.

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.

3 COMMENTS

  1. It sounds like it all depends on the results on the field. Improve greatly from the putrid offenses of the last four years and UF has got a chance. If not, all the coaches will be gone and UF will start over again developing relationships. Vegas’s line is 7.5 wins, I have no idea if over or under is the smart play.