An interesting thing for the Florida Gators recruiting classes is that the 2019 class has the exact same amount of commits as the 2018 class does.
This speaks volumes to the way Jim McElwain and his staff have continued to recruit players earlier in the process.
On Saturday, the Gators hosted several 2019 prospects on campus including defensive back Tyrique Stevenson (6-0, 175, Homestead, FL. South Dade) who enjoyed his visit.
“It was a great visit, I loved it up there,” Stevenson said of his visit to Florida on Saturday. “We visited the locker room, we went to practice and walked around the campus. Spoke to the coaches too.”
During that visit Stevenson learned of some big news when defensive backs coach Corey Bell and head coach Jim McElwain offered him a scholarship.
“Coach Bell offered me but Coach McElwain was in there too,” he said on who offered him. “He was just talking to me about the roster at Florida and what all Florida has to offer someone like me.”
This was an offer that Stevenson has wanted since he was a young kid and it means even more since a good friend recently committed to Florida.
“It means a lot to me,” Stevenson said on what the offer means to him. “It’s a dream school for me and my good bud [Frank Ladson] just committed to Florida. It means a lot that he’s there.”
While on campus, Stevenson got the chance to watch Florida go through practice and he was able to watch Bell coach his position group.
“Practice was great, it’s my kind of tempo,” he said of Florida’s practice. “We got to see the 1-on-1 drills and stuff. I was watching the DB’s because I wanted to see Coach [Corey] Bell, I’ve been hearing a lot about him. He coaches the same way my coach coaches. He’s a great coach.”
This was the first time for Stevenson to meet and talk with Bell and the first impression was a good one from the 2019 prospect.
“He’s a great man, really nice guy,” Stevenson said of Bell. “He was like, we need you here. He said that I have a home here and that he wants me to come play defensive back for him here.”
After the visit and dream offer from the Gators, Stevenson now holds Florida high on his list.
“Florida is my leader of course,” Stevenson said. “I’m planning on making a decision sometime soon.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Stevenson plays both receiver and cornerback in high school but he says that the Gators want him at defensive back. Stevenson is a very athletic guy with some decent speed.