Handy-Holly enjoys meeting Florida Gators DB coach

The Florida Gators had a lot of success in Alabama last season, as they landed two big time prospects from the state and are looking for more in 2017

Head coach Jim McElwain and his staff are back in the state and safety Ken Handy-Holly (6-2, 194, Jackson, AL High) visited Gainesville for Friday nights spring game.

“The visit was good,” Handy-Holly said. “I got to tour the campus, met with a couple of coaches and got to watch the first half of the spring game before we had to leave. It was good.”

Handy-Holly had never met defensive backs coach Torrian Gray until Friday and it was good meeting, according to the safety.

“I got to meet Coach Gray for the first time, it was good meeting him,” he said. “He told me that he’s new there so he’s just getting around but that he watched my film. He told me that he liked my film and he seemed liked a good guy for my first time meeting him.”

Gray didn’t mince words when speaking to Handy-Holly, who is the No. 1 rated safety in Alabama, about wanting him in Gainesville.

“He told me that I’m a priority for them,” Handy-Holly said. “He said that he liked what I did on film at safety.”

Running backs coach Tim Skipper is the area recruiter for Alabama and he also spoke with Handy-Holly during the visit on Friday.

“Coach Skip was just glad to see me again and was welcoming to me,” he said. “He just really talked to me about the school and stuff. We talk often over the phone about Florida.”

Handy-Holly, who was in Gainesville for the first time in a long time, was able to see the new additions around campus and he was impressed.

“They’re adding to their facilities. I liked the tour,” Handy-Holly said. “I saw the indoor practice facility that they just built and I liked it. The campus was really nice and the indoor is big.”

Heading into the visit the Gators were in good shape with the safety and Handy-Holly says they’re in even better shape now.

“This visit helped Florida out for me,” he said. “Florida is still my top school right now after the visit. I like Florida.”

INSIDERS TAKE: Handy-Holly is the top safety in the state of Alabama and a really good athlete. I expect Handy-Holly to visit the Gators again this summer to spend more time with defensive backs coach Torrian Gray.