Washington D.C. Friendship Collegiate Academy cornerback Jalen Tabor has been out at the Opening this week enjoying himself.
“It’s lovely out here,” Tabor said. “Nike did it big for us out here. I like everything they gave us, I can’t pick just one thing. I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete with the best but I still have work to do. I can get better with my straight line speed and my lateral quickness.”
While out at the Opening, the 6-foot-1, 186-pound Tabor has had the opportunity to work with three NFL players, including a former Gator.
“Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and Janoris Jenkins have all been out here,” Tabor said. “Janoris is a small guy, he tells me that I’m 6-foot-1 with long arms. He said that I need to put my hands on someone. They have just been coaching me up.”
Right now Tabor says he has five schools standing out, but he is focused on a top two right now.
“Florida, Florida State, Maryland, Vanderbilt and Alabama,” Tabor said. “My top 2 are Florida and Maryland.”
Maryland: “They have Under Armour and that opens up connections during and after the game of football with endorsements and stuff. They are a rebuilding team and people sleep on their academics.”
Florida: “What I like about Florida is the Swamp and my favorite player, Joe Haden, went there. I love the cornerbacks there because they play with so much swag. The Swamp, when I went down there for a game it was as good as advertised. It’s loud and I couldn’t even hear my friend in front of me talking.”
Tabor says that while he talks to tons of coaches, there are three coaches that he feels he can talk to at any time.
“Coach T-Rob at Florida, coach Locks at Maryland and coach Sal at FSU,” Tabor said. “With coach T-Rob, he understands what kids like me go through and he understands the back ground here. He is trying to help us get out of here and you have to respect him for that. He doesn’t just talk about football, but about life and what he can help you with.”
When Tabor talks about Florida, he always mentions the swag that their cornerbacks play with. He even looks up to some current Gators.
“I think I fit right in with them because I have swag,” Tabor said. “Florida’s defensive backs always have swag, from Janoris, Haden, Roberson and Purifoy. I love Purifoy and watching him play, he is all over the field at receiver, kick returner, safety and nickel, where he blitzes and sacks the quarterback. I like watching him play.”
Tabor was last on Florida’s campus last year, but according to the DC prospect, a return to Gainesville will happen.
“I definitely want to get down there soon,” Tabor said. “I don’t know when, but I’m definitely getting down there. I love the Gators.”
Tabor will announce his decision at the Under Armour All-American game on January 2nd.