The Florida Gators signed one tight end in December but are looking for more of a receiving tight end to finish out the 2022 class with in February.
Last weekend tight end Arlis Boardingham (6-4, 220, Birmingham, CA. Van Nuys) visited Gainesville and enjoyed his time in town.
“It was good, I think it was really good,” Boardingham said on his official visit to Florida. “I had a lot of fun, my family had fun. We hung with the players a lot, hung out with the coaches, and had conversations with them about football and off the field stuff. It was all fun.”
Boardingham was hosted by a freshman who had a high praise for what Billy Napier is bringing to the program.
“Chief [Borders] was,” he said on who his player host was. “He was giving me great reasons to come here, just talking with me and my family. He gave his opinion on Coach Napier even though he has only known him for a few weeks. He says it’s definitely something new and special.”
This was the first time for Boardingham to meet the coaching staff and he was impressed by them and new tight ends coach William Peagler.
“They’re all in sync and know what they want for each other,” Boardingham said on the coaching staff. “They’re all on the same page. Coach [William] Peagler is very straight forward, he’s going to be straight with you and if he doesn’t know the answer then he’s going to find out and let you know. Just a real coach.”
Peagler and Napier explained to Boardingham just how he would fit into the offense and how they would move him around.
“They see me as a hybrid tight end,” he said on where the coaches want him. “They see me playing all over and being a mismatch. They like me at multiple spots but as a flex tight end that will play some receiver. I like that role.”
The California native was impressed by Gainesville and the warm welcome he received during his visit.
“I think it did,” Boardingham said if the visit helped Florida out. “I liked the environment, it reminded me of California a little bit, the people were nice, and the weather was pretty nice.”
While it’s a long flight for Boardingham to Gainesville, the tight end doesn’t believe distance will play factor into his decision.
“Distance isn’t something on my mind,” he said. “Especially if the place I decide to go to feels like home, distance won’t matter at all.”
Next up Boardingham has a visit to a Pac 12 school and he will follow that up with either another visit or a decision.
“Oregon this weekend,” Boardingham said on what’s next for him. “I want to make a decision the week after Oregon if nothing else is happening.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Boardingham says Coach Peagler will be by to see him on Thursday and then Coach Napier will visit him next week.