Florida’s new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper is already leaving his mark on the recruiting trail. Last week Roper offered wide receiver C.J. Worton (6-0, 170, Homestead, FL South Dade), a Florida State commitment who was was pumped about the unexpected news.
“It was an awesome offer,” Worton said. “It came out of nowhere really and I didn’t expect it. I had to talk to Coach T-Rob (Travaris Robinson) before but this was the really first serious talk with Florida.”
Roper didn’t deliver the news himself as the head man at Florida was the one who gave out the offer to Worton.
“Coach T-Rob called me but Coach (Will) Muschamp was the one to offer me,” Worton said. “I also got to talk to Coach (Kurt) Roper. He told me that as soon as he got to Florida he heard about me. He said that he watched about three minutes of my highlight tape and immediately wanted to offer me.”
The Worton family is no stranger to Gainesville as C.J’s older brother Cody played for the Gators from 2005-2008.
Although his older brother played at Florida the younger Worton says that will have no impact on his college decision.
“My brother went there when Tim Tebow was there so he was there when Florida was the top school in the country,” Worton said. “He doesn’t really affect my decision but it does help that I have a little more comfortable zone with Gainesville and stuff. My brother did call to congratulate me and was joking around about me wearing his number there.”
With Worton being around Gainesville so often when Cody was in school there isn’t much for him to see at Florida but he does have an idea of what he wants to do during his official to Florida.
“Just to be able to talk to the new coaches,” Worton said. “I haven’t been there since my brother left so I’m just ready to get back up there in the community and around the players and coaches and see them.”
Florida isn’t the only that is trying to sway Worton away from his commitment to Florida State as he will take two other visits besides his one to Florida.
“I plan to visit West Virginia this weekend,” Worton said. “Next weekend I plan to visit Ole Miss and then I’ll visit Florida. Hopefully I’ll make my final decision on signing day.”
What it will take to sway Worton from Tallahassee is somewhat of mystery to everyone including Worton himself.
“Truthfully I can’t answer that question right,” Worton said of what it will take to get him away from FSU. “I can’t answer that question because I haven’t come across a reason yet.”