The Florida Gators recruiting class picked up its 14th commitment for the 2017 class on Saturday when tight end Zech Byrd (6-6, 235, Millbrook, AL. Stanhope Elmore) committed to the Gators.
Byrd is a talented athlete from Alabama who choose the Gators over the Crimson Tide, Michigan and several others.
The tight end has visited the Gators several times this offseason and felt the home away from feeling while in Gainesville.
“I really like everything about Florida, for real,” Byrd said of his interest in Florida. “They have good scenery and they have good people down there. They make me feel at home down there.”
Last year the Gators didn’t sign a tight end, which meant the staff wanted two in the class and tight ends coach Greg Nord made sure to make Byrd feel wanted.
“I talk to Coach Nord a lot,” Byrd said. He tells me that he wants to coach me and that I have the ability and athleticism to play at Florida. He says that he wants me to play for him and that I was his number one target.”
Byrd who was a basketball player first up until last year still needs to add weight to his lean frame but he has a high upside with his athletic ability. His basketball skills also have translated to the gridiron and has his catching ability and flexibility is very good for a guy still young on the football field.
Byrd is the second commitment for the Gators this month in what looks like a busy month of August for Florida’s recruiting class. So far defensive back targets Brad Stewart and Shawn Davis have set announcement days and the Gators are in good shape with both players.