The Florida Gators had a lot more defensive players on campus this weekend, but they also hosted two priority offensive linemen during the big weekend.
Offensive lineman Ethan Calloway (6-7, 300, Mooresville, NC. Lake Norman) was on campus for his official visit and he says the Gators made a big impression on him.
“It was really good, this was the first one of four,” Calloway said of his visit to Florida this weekend. “I was more excited for them to set a standard because they showed me what an official visit is supposed to be like. Before this all I’ve seen on social media is the photoshoot and the hotel. Florida set a really high standard and I really had a lot of fun.”
Billy Napier and his staff put in a lot of work to make this official visit weekend standout to prospects and Calloway said it did just that because he didn’t feel the pressure of a recruiting weekend.
“The people and the stuff we did,” he said on what made Florida’s visit standout. “It didn’t really feel like a recruiting trip, it didn’t feel like they were trying to sell me on something, it really felt like I was on vacation. It didn’t feel like they trying to sell me on why I should play for them, it felt like they were really showing me how I could see myself here for the next 4-5 years.”
While on the visit this weekend, Calloway had the chance to spend time with several of Florida’s commits and he was glad to get to know them.
“It was cool, they weren’t in my ear all weekend, they respect my space and I respect their space,” he said on the commits recruiting him. “I got to meet them, DJ [Lagway] kept saying he needs me here, that was kind of fun. It was really cool to meet some of them and to see some of them again.”
The coaching staff also met with Calloway to go over the film of the Gators’ offense and show him how he fits into the offense.
“I got to sit down with Coach Sale and Coach Stapleton and go over my film and how it translates into their scheme,” Calloway said on talking football with the staff. “Then went over their film and they showed me why they were recruiting me over the hundreds of other players.”
Heading into the visit, the Gators were sitting in a good spot for Calloway, and he says the Gators improved their chances with him.
“This definitely gave them a statement in this whole process,” he said on where Florida stands for him now. “Now I’m finally getting into that place where I can say I like one place more than another, but Florida definitely put themselves up there.”
Next up for Calloway will be three more official visits and then he hopes to make a commitment before his senior year.
“Our hope is to take all four official visits this summer and then be committed,” Calloway said. “Florida, Penn State, Georgia, and LSU are the official visits.”
Despite the Gators going first in official visits, Calloway says the Gators have several things standing out about them then he keeps in his mind.
“The people mainly but it’s also the class,” Calloway said on what makes Florida stand out. “Obviously the people here are amazing, the coaches, the support staff, everyone is top of the line with how they act and speak. Another thing is the class, they’re putting together a really good class and it’s a possibility that this class could change the program for the better so that puts them up there.”