One of the biggest needs in the class this year is defensive backs as the Florida Gators look to add depth at a position of need.
This past weekend, safety Jordan Castell (6-2, 195, Winter Garden, FL. West Orange) was on campus for the second time under Napier.
“It was great, a lot of love from Coach [Patrick] Toney and Coach [Corey] Raymond,” Casteel said on his official visit to Florida. “The whole coaching staff, they’re going to put you in the best position to be great.”
Castell was able to talk to several players about the changes under this coaching staff and what they think of Napier’s staff.
“It was more like being around the players,” he said on the highlights of the trip. “It was good, I was with the guys that were the old coaching staff and now the new coaching staff and they were talking about the improvement and they’re really living what they’re saying. It’s a great place.”
Defensive coordinator Patrick Toney and defensive backs coach Corey Raymond have been the two coaches recruiting Casteel the hardest and they’ve built a good relationship with each other.
“It was great, they’re great dudes,” Castell said on his talks with Toney and Raymond. “You know their history what they did at their other programs. Especially Coach Raymond, DBU.”
Toney and Raymond explained to Castell this weekend just how the Gators want to use him on defense if he picks Florida.
“That’s why they’re on me heavy because they’re looking for guys that are versatile who can play corner, safety, and nickel,” he said on where the staff wants him to play. “Y’all might see me all over the place. I like it a lot, it shows how much of a dog I am. I can play whenever.”
After the visit, Castell says Florida is one of the teams standing out to him as he wants to finish his recruitment this summer.
“There are on the top, I like Florida a lot,” Castell said on where Florida stands with him. “It’s a lot of schools that I’m looking at but Florida is on my mind. Tennessee, Auburn, and Michigan. I’m going to Tennessee next weekend. I’m going to try and take as many as I can this summer. I’m trying to be done by the summer.”
Castell also plans to return to Gainesville this summer as he believes this Gators coaching staff has the program trending in the right direction.
“I’ll be back,” he said on when he plans to return to Florida. “I like Florida, it’s close to home, and my family can come to watch me play. It’s Coach Toney, Coach Raymond, Coach Napier, these guys are about to change the program. I believe in them.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Castell says he will most likely be back for Florida’s cookout at the end of July.