Defensive end Byron Cowart (6-3, 257, Seffner, FL Armwood) has become a regular in Gainesville and on Saturday he visited the Gators again to watch their spring scrimmage.
“It was cool, I just went up and checked out the dorms and stuff,” Cowart said. “I got to see the spring scrimmage too. I saw a lot of opportunity for myself as a player. The defense was running some 4-3 and some 3-4 schemes.”
During the scrimmage Cowart paid close attention to the defense and afterwards he got to talk with Will Muschamp about the visit.
“Coach Muschamp was saying the same thing he always does and that’s that they aren’t going to pressure me into deciding anytime soon,” Cowart said. “He said he just wants me to see what Florida can offer me and that they need me at BUCK. He thinks I can replace [Dante] Fowler there.”
One coach that’s very high on Cowart’s ability is defensive line coach Brad Lawing and he had a message for Cowart after the scrimmage.
“Coach Lawing says he’s confident that he can get me where I want to be as a player,” Cowart said. “He says he had success with some big players and he can do the same for me. I know he had success with [Jadeveon] Clowney and he can do the same thing with me if I meet him half way.”
Cowart has become close friends with defensive end CeCe Jefferson and the two reunited in Gainesville again this past Saturday.
“Me and CeCe always have a good time together, just talking and hanging out,” Cowart said. “I would like to play with him in college and it would be big if it happens. We know we play the same position so it’s kind of a competitive relationship.”
The defensive end may make it back up to Gainesville this weekend or he may visit the Gators arch rival.
“I’m still deciding between Florida and Florida State for this coming weekend,” Cowart said. “I’m going to go to one of their spring games on Saturday.”
Whether or not Cowart visits Florida on Saturday the Gators are in good position for the defensive end but the Gators know what they can’t do in Cowart’s recruitment.
“Florida is still the same message to me and is still recruiting me hard but everyone knows not to pressure me because if they do it will turn me off,” Cowart said. “Coach Muschamp tells me he isn’t going to pressure me at all.”
Since he’s from Seffner Armwood, I think he’s a lock for the Gators. That could change if Muschamp is fired. There’s no need to restate how hot Muschamp’s seat is, but it’s hard to imagine a UF coach being retained that loses four in a row to Georgia, not to mention the rest of the schedule. If Cowart actually chooses to visit FSU this weekend over UF, I would still say he’s a lock for UF if they retain their coaching staff because guys from his school ALWAYS go to UF.