On Saturday several of the top instate defensive backs were in Gainesville to see the Florida Gators spring practice and for the second junior day of the year.
Defensive back Derek Bermudez (6-2, 180, Jacksonville, FL. Sandalwood) was in town and enjoyed watching the Gators practice.
“It was good, just seeing how they practice was good,” Bermudez said of his visit to Florida on Saturday. “I got to see what Coach [Torrian] Gray had to say but I had to leave early so I didn’t get to talk to Coach [Dan] Mullen. We talked to some of the players and tried on the jerseys.”
Bermudez got the chance to talk with defensive backs coach Torrian Gray on Saturday and the defensive backs coach had a message for him.
“He was just saying that I would be a good asset to what they’re trying to do at Florida,” he said of Gray’s message to him. “He said that my skill set brings something good to the defensive backs room and stuff like that. He likes me at corner and nickel.”
Gray has been recruiting Bermudez since he arrived in Gainesville and the relationship is continuing to grow.
“He’s a cool guy, he text me every week and tells me positive stuff,” Bermudez said on his relationship with Gray. “I know he coached in the NFL with the Washington Redskins and I know he coached at Florida before, so he’s good.”
Bermudez is learning more about the Gators and Gray now and he likes what he knows about them so far.
“It catches my eye because they’ve had some good defensive backs come from there,” he said on if the DBU tradition in Florida catches his attention. “Florida is a good school, I’ll definitely come back for another visit, Coach Gray wants me to come back by myself.”
The Gators aren’t the only school recruiting Bermudez hard as several other SEC schools are after the cornerback.
“Florida, LSU, Oregon, Florida State, Miami and Ole Miss,” Bermudez said of the schools recruiting him hard. “They’re all talking to me about the same.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Bermudez said he’s visiting Florida State in two weeks and then wants to return to Gainesville for a visit. Bermudez says he would like to make a decision before the start of his senior football season.