Heggie recruiting hard for the Florida Gators

Offensive lineman Brett Heggie (6-4, 290, Mount Dora, FL High) was one of the top offensive linemen at the Under Armour All-American game this past week despite coming in as an under the radar prospect.

Heggie, who had a few errant snaps on Monday, quickly adjusted to the speed of the defensive line and had a great week at center.

“This week was all about coming out and representing the University of Florida,” Heggie said. “I just wanted to compete every day. I think the snapping issue was me trying to get out of my stance, you know a guy just drove past and I’m not really used to it but I adjusted nicely and fixed up the little problems and it made a good week.

The Mount Dora prospect was taking tips from some top offensive line coaches in America and the one Heggie tried to do was play hard every snap.

“I take it kinda personal every snap,” Heggie said. “I just go as hard as I possibly can against these highly ranked guys and just go in there and fight every play.”

The Florida Gators center commit has played against some good competition during camps but this was by far the best competition he has ever gone up against, and he believes it made him a better player.

“This group of defensive linemen was a very fast and physical group,” he said. “I just wanted to go out there and compete. Everyone is highly ranked that I went up against and it’s a huge preparation. It’s the best in the country at this level, so I mean you can’t get a better feel.”

Heggie wasn’t all business this week as he and the other Florida Gators commits were doing some recruiting and the center had a few guys he was talking too.

“I’m recruiting a few guys and trying to help out in any way I can,” he said. “I’m talking to Marcus Tatum and Brian Burns some on the phone. Landon Dickerson, I’ve been trying to land Dickerson, the lineman. We’ve been after Nate Craig, Shavar Manuel; we talked to him a little bit. Just kinda having fun with it.”

Next up for Heggie will be his official visit to Florida and that will sometime soon but he isn’t exactly sure of the date yet.

“It was originally the 15th but they might change it to the 22nd Heggie said. “There may be more prospects on the 22nd so I may come in that weekend but right now it’s scheduled for the 15th.

Offensive line coach Mike Summers visited Heggie a few times in December and he has continued to tell the center to be ready to play early.

“Coach Summers just tells me to keep working hard and that I have an opportunity to play early,” he said. “He just tells me to come in and do what I’m supposed to do in order to play.”

Heggie was at every Florida Gators home game this fall and he liked what he saw from the Gators offensive line.

“The offensive line was very young this year and I thought they progressed along during the season,” Heggie said. “Again they’re all really young and they have a couple of true freshmen playing this year.”

This week Heggie was able to bond with several future Gators teammates and he roomed with defensive line commit Antonneous Clayton.

“Yea he’s a cool dude, he’s got his head on straight,” he said of Clayton. “He’s had a hell of a week too. “

Before Heggie left the Under Armour game he had a message for Gators fans.

“I just really wanted to come out here and represent for Gator Nation,” he said. “Go Gators.”

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.