2017 defensive end Zachary Carter (6-4, 237, Tampa, FL Hillsborough) has been on the Florida Gators campus multiple times this summer including a daylong visit on Wednesday to Gainesville.
Wednesday was a chance for Carter to meet with all of the Gators’ coaches individually and it helped push Florida to the top of his list.
“Florida is my leader,” Carter said after the visit. “I love the atmosphere at Florida and the culture that the coaching staff has in the building. I grew up a fan and it’s not too far from home.”
Three coaches in particular had long talks with Carter on Wednesday, including Florida Gators defensive line coach Chris Rumph, who had a message for the defensive end.
“I talked to Coach Mac [Jim McElwain], Coach Rumph and to Coach [Marquell] Blackwell,” he said. “Coach Rumph was telling me that he wants me to have a desire for the game so I’m coachable. He wants me to be a Gator real bad.”
Rumph has been recruiting Carter hard since this spring and he told Carter that he can play early at Florida if he works hard.
“He sees me on the outside at defensive end,” Carter said. “We have a good relationship and I’m pretty tight with him but I’m going to get even closer with him.”
Head Coach Jim McElwain usually takes a different approach when he sits down with prospects and that continued on Wednesday with the Tampa prospect.
“Coach Mac said he was excited about me being up there,” said Carter. “He wants me to be a Gator and he said that being a Gator takes care of you way beyond football.”
Carter doesn’t have any other planned visits this summer but plans to return to Gainesville this fall for a game.
INSIDERS TAKE: Florida has taken a good lead over Miami Hurricanes, Clemson Tigers and Kentucky Wildcats in Carter’s recruitment. The Gators will continue to recruit Carter hard in hopes for getting an early commitment from him.