This past weekend several of the Florida Gators biggest visitors on campus were official visitors who spent the weekend around the coaching staff.
Offensive lineman Josh Braun (6-6, 335, Live Oak, FL. Suwannee) was on campus on Saturday and he liked the different atmosphere on this visit to Gainesville.
“It went great, we got in early on Saturday morning about midnight,” Braun said of his official visit. “I had a great time and the atmosphere was more of a relaxed atmosphere. We really got to hang out and connect on more personal level instead of just talking football and academics. It was nice to hang around Coach [John] Hevesy and Coach [Dan] Mullen like that.”
Braun got to enjoy the cookout on Saturday but also had a chance to hang around the current players as well.
“I hung out with my host most of Saturday, Griffin [McDowell] was my host,” he said. “He just told me that it was a lot of hard work there, his classes right now are laid back since it’s Summer A. We seen a movie and had a lot of fun together.”
Offensive line coach John Hevesy spent a lot of time with Braun and explained to him where the Gators see him playing at if he chooses Florida.
“Just that he will develop me into the best football player I can be,” Braun said of Hevesy’s message to him. “He says that I have the athleticism to play tackle and the size and physicality to play guard so he says me as a fluid player.”
Hevesy also explained to Braun why the Gators had to have a big offensive line class last year but the offensive linemen doesn’t seem to mind the big number in 2019.
“He talked to me about it and doesn’t bother me at all,” he said on Florida taking 7 linemen last year. “He has explained to me that they had a severe need on the offensive line when they got there so last year had to be a big class for them and the more competition the better for me. I don’t really care to start early on in my career as long as I get developed and I don’t play before I’m ready.”
Head coach Dan Mullen spent a lot of time focusing on academics and sharing what a Gator degree could do for Braun if he chooses Florida.
“During my meeting with him we focused more on my opportunities post football such as in the business world,” Braun said on his talk with Mullen. “He talked about the connections that I would make being a Gator alum and we talked about faith and religion.”
Next up for Braun is his last two official visits and after that the offensive lineman would like to make a commitment.
“I have two more officials coming up, one to South Carolina on June 1st and one to Georgia on June 15th,” he said on what’s next for him. “I hope to make a decision after all three visits but if I don’t feel ready then I’ll take the time I need but I hope to make a decision in June.”