Defensive backs are a main focus area for the Florida Gators recruiting class of 2017, as the Gators try to reload the position.
Last week Florida sent out an offer to a defensive back when they offered Derrek Pitts (6-0, 177, Charleston, WV South Charleston) and it was an offer he was very excited about.
“Florida offered me last week, they’re my dream school,” Pitts said. “I used to go to Florida every year for vacation, one time we were going to the beach and we stopped by there to see the campus. Florida was like the first college that I got a tour of, I went all-around campus.”
Not only was Florida the first school that Pitts visited but it was also the arch rival school of his father’s favorite team, and that led to some interesting Saturdays.
“I remember a couple of years later we were watching the Florida-Florida State game and my dad is a Florida State fan,” Pitts said. “I took Florida and he took Florida State so we had a little bet. The best was if Florida State wins, I had to do 100 push-ups but if Florida wins then he had 200 pushups. So we have had that inside rivalry with each other.”
Pitts received his dream offer from the new coach in town, a coach that has been recruiting Pitts for years now.
“The new defensive back coach, Torrian Gray was the coach that offered me,” he said. “He and I have a great relationship with each other from when he recruited me to Virginia Tech. When I first found out that he got the job at Florida, I told him that it was my dream school that I had always wanted the offer. I told him he could ask me anything about Florida and I would tell him about it. I was excited he got the job.”
The West Virginia athlete has a great perspective on Gray and his personality and it’s one that Pitts likes.
“Everything about Coach Gray is great, he has a lot of passion,” Pitts said. “He’s going to be upfront with you, he’s going to tell you the truth whether you like it or not. He has always come hard after me and he’s always made me feel wanted. He’s always told me that I’m his guy.”
Since Gray is new to Gainesville, he doesn’t know a ton about the Gators but he’s keeping Pitts in the loop as he learns more about Florida.
“He couldn’t really tell me much about the coaching staff at Florida because he just got there,” he said. “We talk at least once a week and he gives me updates and tells me new things about the school. He did tell me that he wants me at corner or safety but they just want to see me down there at Florida.”
With Florida being Pitts dream offer the Gators obviously have his attention and he hopes to visit soon.
“I have a high interest in Florida,” Pitts said. “We are talking about going down there at the end of this month when I go on spring break for a visit. As long as no bad weather happens up here then that’s what we are shooting for right now.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Pitts says that he wants to make a decision at the beginning of his senior season but right now he has no leaders. Pitts is considered the top prospect in West Virginia and someone that Gray knows really well.