Gator Country

Between working out, taking unofficial visits to colleges all over the country, attending football camps and answering the constantly ringing telephone Dre Kirkpatrick’s days are packed with activity from the time he wakes up until he goes to sleep. There is no rest for the weary --- or the talented --- when it comes to this talented defensive back from Gadsden, Alabama who has more than 40 scholarship offers already.

He’s already taken quite a few unofficial visits but wait till you see who’s still on the visit list. Between now and the time he starts two-a-days in August, Kirkpatrick plans to take trips to Florida State, Alabama, LSU and Southern California. He’s also planning to squeeze in one very important camp down in Gainesville on July 18 --- Friday Night Lights, the now famous one evening mini-camp at the University of Florida.

“I’m gonna try to get out there,” Kirkpatrick said. “I went last year and I’d love to go back. It’ll probably be sometime next month when I know for certain. My coach always makes decisions at the last minute anyway.

Although he finds something enjoyable about nearly every visit he’s taken, Kirkpatrick came away highly impressed with recent trips he took to Texas and Clemson.

“Texas stood out to me because I hadn’t really ever seen Texas and that was my first time going out there,” he said. “I was just hanging out and getting to know the players and the coaches leading the camp. At Clemson, it was good to see and talk with (defensive coordinator Vic Koenning). Me and Coach Vic have a pretty good, strong relationship.”

Texas and Oklahoma recently joined about 40 other schools that are all vying for Kirkpatrick’s services. With so many schools calling there is plenty of pressure to commit but he’s staying patient and relying on the advice of his parents and his coach rather than make an irrational decision.

“Either during my season or after it’s over I’m probably going to have my top 10 favorite narrowed down,” he said. “I’m probably going to wait to commit. My mom wants me to wait and hold off until signing day.”

Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong gave similar advice to Kirkpatrick several months ago, and coaches from across the nation are echoing Strong’s words of wisdom.

“Almost all of them have been telling me to take the time to get to know them and see what’s out there,” he said.

When not touring the U.S., Kirkpatrick has been busy working out, doing plenty of 7-on-7 drills, 1-on-1’s, and individual workouts. He has seen a lot of improvements in some of his teammates, including tight end Darrell Smith, and fellow GC Hot 50 prospect, wide receiver Kendall Kelly.

Kirkpatrick is now up to 6-3, but has lost a little weight and is now at 180 pounds.

“I started running because I was getting a little too big,” he said. “I had to lose a couple of pounds because it was getting sloppy looking. I’m 180 in high school, but when I get to college I want to be about 190 and all toned up.”

Thanks to the extra work in the weight room, Kirkpatrick has increased his bench press to more than 250 pounds and lowered his 40 time to 4.39. He’s already seen one immediate benefit from the extra strength.

“My jamming is stronger now, so I’m more aggressive at the line,” he said.

He has set aside personal goals this year in favor of something more important.

“Right now my personal goal is my team’s goal --- to get a state championship,” he said.

Although he loves football he doesn’t have a favorite pro player --- at least not one that’s still playing the game.

“My favorite player doesn’t play anymore,” he said. “It was Deion Sanders. I think that we have similar game mentalities. He’s aggressive. When he’s on the field, he’s gonna do his thing. And that’s how I am; when I’m on that field … I’m gonna do my thing.”

About the author

JSquires

Jeff Squires hails from Daytona Beach and is a photojournalism senior at the University of Florida, where much of his family attended. Jeff’s basketball career ended in high school, and he currently enjoys writing about and shooting a variety of Gator sports. Though he has never played organized football, Jeff boasts 15+ years experience playing Madden football video games.

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