Billingsley has the Florida Gators as one of his top schools

The Florida Gators will host a big recruiting weekend this coming weekend as Dan Mullen and the coaching staff will start a new tradition of a cookout weekend on campus.

Tight end Jaheel Billingsley (6-4, 216, Chicago, IL Phillips Academy) is one of prospects expected on campus as the Gators are keeping in constant contact with him.

“I talk to Florida everyday,” Billingsley said of his talks with Florida. “I talk to either Coach [Larry] Scott or Coach [Cordell] Landers. I talk to Coach Mullen a lot to.”

Tight ends coach Larry Scott has talked to Billingsley about how the Gators would use the tight end in the Florida offense.

“He says a lot, he talks about me just being so versatile that I can be moved around all over the field,” he said of the message from Scott. “The fact that I can put my hand in the dirt and block and I can be a slot. He says I’m a big wide receiver on the outside to catch the jump balls.”

Scott has also explained to Billingsley that the Gators are in need of prospects at his position this year.

“He says he definitely needs me,” Billingsley said on if Scott expressed a big need for tight ends. “They have two seniors that are leaving after this year.”

Head coach Dan Mullen has also made sure to keep in contact with Billingsley as they continue to build a relationship.

“Just words of encouragement,” he said of the message from Mullen. “He ask about my family and not to much about football but how he can develop me as a man if I come there.”

Saturday will be the first trip to Gainesville for Billingsley but he has a lot of interest in the Gators and want to see the campus.

“I’m very interest in them, I like them a lot,” Billingsley said of Florida. “I’m visiting them [this weekend] to see everything because I’m very interested.”

Heading into Saturday’s visit the Gators are one of two teams on top as Billingsley would like to make a decision soon.

“Florida and Illinois are at the top right now but there are some other schools that I like and want to see,” he said of his leaders. “I want to make a decision over the summer.”

 

INSIDERS TAKE: Getting Billingsley on campus for an unofficial visit is huge for Florida as the Gators will hope to get another visit for an official this fall. Right now Illinois has the edge over Florida because he has been on their campus before.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.