SEFFNER, FL – Tampa Jefferson 2012 prospect Tyriq McCord, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound defensive end had nothing but good things to say about Florida at the Elite Scouting Combine Sunday afternoon. McCord visited Florida yesterday for the Orange and Blue debut.
“It was awesome. I already fell in love with the campus the first time I visited. Just to get a feel for the game, an actual Florida game, it was great,” McCord said.
“I wish it was a real game, I’m pretty sure there will be even more hype.”
After making a visit last summer, he said the campus really impressed him, but this time he got to talk to the coaches and get a feel for what it would be like at a game.
“I just love how everything is set up. It’s just beautiful,” he said.
“I don’t know the word to describe it, but I loved it.”
So far, he has mostly been talking to tight ends coach Derek Lewis.
“That’s a hilarious guy right there. I love coach Lewis,” McCord said.
McCord holds offers from colleges all over the country, and although he doesn’t have a list of top schools yet, he said some schools stand out to him.
“South Carolina is a school that stands out. I’m going to be visiting there at the beginning of the summer and at the end of the summer. They were the first school to offer me,” he said.
The USC Trojans have also caught his attention, and he plans to make a visit there for the All-Star showcase this summer. Miami is also still in the running, he said, but those are just a few off the top of his head.
One school in particular stands out more than the others for McCord though.
“Right now Florida is a leader, but I still have time to make more visits. Florida’s the only school I’ve really visited lately besides USF,” he said.
According to McCord, he is going on a tour this summer with his defensive coordinator from Jefferson to visit Cincinnati, Ole’ Miss, and North Carolina, among others.
“I’ll make a decision by my senior year probably during the season,” he said.
Marcus Maye wins combine MVP
Safety prospect Marcus Maye (6-2/190) from Holy Trinity in Melbourne won overall MVP at the combine.
After great reviews of his visit to Florida Saturday for the Orange and Blue game, he said he definitely has a leader.
“Florida’s at the top of the list right now, so it’s looking pretty good for them.
I’m feeling confident about it,” he said. “By the time the summer comes, I’ll make a decision.”
Nelson Agholor enjoys Florida visit
Also participating at the combine, Berkley Prep athlete Nelson Agholor (6-2/180) said he really enjoyed meeting the new coaching staff for the first time.
“It was wonderful. I met the coaches, they were really good people. It felt good to go up there and see these guys I’ve been talking to, to put a face to the name and things like that,” Agholor said.
Gator Country reporter Nicole Renee can be reached at nicolerenee@gatorcountry.com. You can also follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nicolereneeGC