Gator Country

Chris Culliver is one of those freakish athletes that coaches just have to find ways to get on the football field. He's like the Reggies, Bush or Nelson, so athletic that he's the best football player on the field no matter what position he plays. The Garner (NC) native could have his choice of colleges, but it appears Florida and Clemson will battle it out for this stud safety/receiver.

His Garner team is off to a great 8-1 start, 4-0 in the conference. Culliver is a do-it-all for Garner. On offense he plays a lot of running back and some wide receiver and on defense he starts at safety but will play some at corner.

Plenty of schools have recruited him but Florida and Clemson have begun to separate from the rest of the pack.

“Really, I am thinking it is going to be between Florida and Clemson,” Culliver said. He took a moment to talk about what he likes about his two favorites.

CLEMSON: “It’s a very good school. They have a good program academic wise and they have everything. I can see for myself that they need help in the secondary. They lost two good players last year.”

FLORIDA: “Florida is a real good program, ranked sixth in the nation. I have yet to get down there and see them, but they are explosive. I know about Reggie Nelson and the coaches say I could come in and take his position. I am trying to come down when they are playing South Carolina.

“I have seen them play many times. Their defense is really good, like Brandon Siler. The whole defense is just explosive.

“Coach Doc Holliday (recruiting area coach) is a funny guy. He doesn’t want me to go somewhere else. He is my position coach so I am trying to have the best relationship as possible with him.

“Coach Meyer … I talk to him about being on the offensive side of the ball. I know I am a playmaker. My teammates call me Reggie Bush. I don’t want to start at wide receiver. I just want them to know I can help the team, just like I am doing now.”

Culliver has some unreal combine numbers. With his 6-1 and 190-pound frame he ran a 4.38 forty at one of Scout.com’s combines. He spent the summer going to college camps and polishing his game. The former Florida native will be a big time get for whatever program he chooses.

“My speed and what I have learned from technique are my strengths,” he said. “I picked up a lot of things from camps I have been to. I am able to use that stuff in the games. I catch up to defenders and run side to side real good. If the ball is going away from me I at least try to make the tackle.”

A third team seems to be making a push and that could factor heavily before decision time rolls around. The lure of being recruited to replace an All-American candidate has slowed down any rush to a decision.

“I am not quite ready to decide because South Carolina is somewhere in the mix,” Culliver said. “They are recruiting me to replace Sidney Rice as a receiver. That could be an opportunity. I just need to play my cards right and see what happens.”

With the Gators off to a great recruiting start this season, Chris Culliver would be a grand addition to the mix. Florida Coach Urban Meyer has stressed about wanting to be the fastest team in America and Culliver brings plenty of speed and ability to the table.

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