Gator Country

UF assistant Travaris Robinson is the point man on the recruitment of Miami (Fla.) Southridge DB Jamal Carter for the Gators. / Photo provided by UF Communications

BRADENTON – Considered one of the top safeties in the Southeast for the Class of 2013, Miami (Fla.) Southridge prospect Jamal Carter already claims double-digit offers from the likes of Florida State, Miami, Mississippi and West Virginia, among others.

The Florida Gators have also extended an offer to the powerfully built 6-foot-1, 190-pound safety. UF assistant coach Travaris Robinson – a native of Miami – just happens to have a personal connection with Carter through a hair salon.

Wait a second, a hair salon?

“My grandma does his mom’s hair,” Carter says with a laugh when discussing the situation.

Robinson may have an “in” with Carter because of a beauty salon, but he’s built a bond with Carter based on trust.

“He’s cool. When we talk on the phone – he talks to me like he’s my big brother,” Carter said of Robinson. “Things like, ‘Are you doing your homework? Are your grades right?’ I’ve got a good connection with him.”

The efforts of Robinson have put the Gators squarely in the mix for one of the top defensive backs in the state of Florida – in a deep year at the position – early on in the recruiting process for Carter.

“Florida, they’re in my Top 5 right now,” he said.

Although Carter has yet to make a trip to Florida, he said he does hope to make a trip to Gainesville in the coming months.

“I was supposed to [visit for a junior day], but I couldn’t make it,” Carter said. “I’m trying to get up there in the summer time.”

Over the weekend, Carter competed with the South Florida Express, who won the IMG Madden 7-on-7 Southeast Regional Final with a 25-7 win against Team Tampa in the championship game of the tournament. Carter took full advantage to hone his skills at an event featuring some of the best talent from around the Sunshine State in one location for an entire weekend.

“It makes you play at your [best],” he said of the event. “You can’t go 50 percent out here.”

With a loaded board at the safety position for the Class of 2013, Carter is yet another talented option for the Gators at the position in this recruiting cycle.

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