Last week was a packed week for the Florida Gators coaching staff as they went through spring practice and conducted multiple virtual visits a day.
Running back Damari Alston (5-11, 205, Atlanta, GA. Woodward Academy) is one of those who had a virtual visit and he says the visit went well.
“Overall the virtual visit was good,” Alston said of Florida. “It went really well, they showed me a little bit about the player development, the campus, and things to do around the campus. They showed me how they treat their players with the nutrition program.”
Alston had the red carpet treatment from the staff last week and he says two coaches talk to him on a regular basis as well.
“The whole staff was on there at the beginning even the defensive coordinator,” he said on who was on the call. “Towards the end, it was just Coach [Nick] Savage, Coach [Dan] Mullen, and Coach [Greg] Knox. I usually talk to Coach Knox every day and Coach Mullen every week too.”
Running backs coach Greg Knox explained to Alston just how he would be used in the Gators’ offense if he plays running back in Gainesville.
“Coach Knox just wants me to know that I’m a priority to him,” Alston said on the message from Knox. “He thinks I can stand out for the offense, catch some balls out of the backfield when they need me to and I can ground and pound when they need that. Coach Mullen said the same thing really, just that I’m a priority.”
Alston says his relationship with the coaching staff is a good one as the staff has been honest with him since the start.
“My relationship with the staff is very tight and a good one,” he said. “I think if I can get down there for a visit, it will bring our relationship even tighter. I just love them and they’re really honest with me and keep it real with me.”
The running back hasn’t been able to visit Gainesville yet but that hasn’t stopped him from learning some things about the Gators.
“My interest in Florida is high, it has been high since the day they offered me,” Alston said of Florida. “ They have a good thing going on, they always want to win and they’re always hyped.”
Alston would like to have a decision made by the time his senior year starts and he says several schools besides Florida are recruiting him hard.
“I haven’t narrowed my list at all, that’s coming real soon,” he said. “Georgia Tech, Penn State, Ohio State, Oregon, Auburn, Texas A&M, LSU, Bama, and North Carolina are all recruiting me hard.”