There are some serious question marks at linebacker and that has forced the Florida Gators to focus on the position in the class of 2016.
The Gators already have one commitment from linebacker Vosean Joseph (6-2, 210, Miami, FL Norland) and on Tuesday he was in town to work with his future position coach Randy Shannon.
“It was awesome, it went great and it was everything that I expected it to be,” Joseph said. “I got to work with Coach Shannon and that was the best part. He’s a great coach and he knows a lot of stuff. He was able to help me with a lot of different things.”
Working out with Shannon was the highlight of the trip and that is because of the guys Shannon has coached in the past.
“It was awesome to actually work with the coach that has coached Ray Lewis in the past,” he said. “ It was all about getting better out there and working hard but it was nice to work with him.”
After working out with Shannon, the linebacker commit had the chance to sit down and talk some recruiting with his future coach.
“He said hurry up and get your butt up here,” Joseph said of Shannon’s message to him. “Coach Shannon tells me that he wants me at middle linebacker and that he thinks I can be a big part of the team there. He says that I could do a lot of good things there.”
Head coach Jim McElwain has spoken to Joseph several times over the phone but Tuesday was the first time for the two to meet in person.
“Coach McElwain brought me in his office before camp and talked to me,” he said. “He showed me the new dorms that I will be living in and he showed me the new football facility. He was a cool guy.”
When Joseph committed to Florida he said that he going to be a lead recruiter for the Gators and he is doing just that.
“I’m very solid to Florida,” Joseph said. “I’m trying to get Emmett [Rice] and some other guys up to Florida for us. Emmett was with me on my visit and he loved it.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Joseph is very solid to Florida and he’s a guy that Randy Shannon likes a ton at the position. He’s one of those guys that will thrive under Shannon’s teaching.
It is difficult to evaluate from the outside, as a fan, but it appears that Coach Mac has put together an excellent staff. Guys with experience who relate well to young guys and who know a little something about football.