LSU commit has interest in the Gators: Florida Gators recruiting

This may now sound like a broken record but the Florida Gators recruiting board for 2017 is still-hunting for offensive linemen to fill the needs for this team.

On Monday night the Gators offered LSU offensive line commit Saahdiq Charles (6-5, 314, Madison, MS. Ridgeland Academy) after news broke on Sunday that Les Miles had been fired.

“Coach [Mike] Summers offered me on Monday night,” Charles said of his new offer. “He asked me if I had interest in Florida and I was really excited and said yes. We had a conversation about what he was interested and excited about with me. After that he offered.”

The Gators offensive line coach Mike Summers explained to Charles what he liked from watching him on film.

“He talked to me about how they need guys like me to come in and compete,” he said of Summers’ message. “He said that he liked my feet and the way I could bend and move. He said that he could see how tough I am through the film he watched.”

Charles didn’t expect to hear from the Gators but he’s glad he did and he plans to be in Gainesville for a visit.

“I’m glad that I got the offer, it’s exciting to me,” Charles said of his interest in Florida. “I will be making a trip to Florida soon. I’ve never been but I like the tradition they have there. And the winning environment.”

The Mississippi native admits that he has heard a lot about Florida and that has his attention.

“I’m very interested in them and I will be taking an official visit their in December,” he said. “I will probably visit this fall for a game too.”

Now that LSU is without a head football coach, Charles is having to look at everything and four other teams are after him hard now.

“I’m committed to LSU at the moment,” Charles said. “Florida, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Mississippi State have all recruited me hard lately.”

 

INSIDERS TAKE: Charles sounded very interested in Florida but the Gators just have to get him in town for a visit. Charles is a very physical and athletic player that could very well play either guard or tackle in college.

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.