Tuesday was a busy day for virtual visits for the Florida Gators coaching staff as they hosted several guys on visits as the staff also juggles getting the incoming freshmen enrolled in school.
2022 defensive lineman Tyler Booker (6-4, 290, Bradenton, FL. IMG) was one of those guys who took a virtual visit as he’s back home in New Jersey with his family during this dead period.
“It was a great time,” Booker said of his virtual visit to Florida on Tuesday. “The first thing I saw was the Hawkins Center where the players get tutoring and the players get mentors they keep throughout their college career. I liked that a lot because you’re able to build a relationship with those people who will be helping you become a better student and man.”
One thing that stood out to Booker was how the Swamp is a home field advantage for the Gators and how the atmosphere is on game days.
“I saw some highlights of the Swamp before we concluded the visit and I was really amazed about how the fans pack it out and also make an effect on their home games,” he said on what stood out to him. “I love playing in a place with a lot of fans and great atmosphere and I can definitely get that at Florida.”
Head coach Dan Mullen has made Booker a priority and he talked to the defensive lineman about what all Florida has to offer student athletes.
“He was the first person we spoke to actually,” Booker said of his talks with Mullen. “I was really excited to be able to talk to him. His message to us is how I get the best of both worlds’ of education and athletics at Florida and education is very important to me and obviously football is too. So to have a great mix of both is very important to me.”
Defensive line coach David Turner also spoke at length with Booker about past guys he has coached and what all he has taught them.
“Coach Turner, we spoke for awhile about how he had put a lot of successful guys in the league,” he said of his talks with Turner. “How they still use the techniques he taught them and we went over those techniques and I really like them and will incorporate those techniques into my game this year.”
Turner also explained to Booker that the Gators think highly of his game and think a move to defense is best in college.
“He said even thought I have mostly offensive film, that I can definitely play defense at a high level,” Booker said on where Turner wants him to play. “He talked to me mainly about playing defensive tackle.”
Now that Booker has taken a virtual visit and an unofficial visit to Gainesville, the defensive lineman says he likes several things about the Gators program.
“I’m very interested in Florida,” he said. “I like how I can get top of the line academics and athletics at the same school. I have to pay attention to the academics because there is life after football and I have to pay attention to what I can do with a degree from a certain school and a degree from Florida holds weight.”