Several prospects from the state of Georgia were in Gainesville for Friday Night Lights as the Florida Gators coaching staff ended the summer recruiting circuit on a high note.
2023 defensive back Aaron Gates (6-0, 180, Sharpsburg, GA. Trinity Christian School) was one of those guys on campus and he enjoyed his time in the Swamp.
“It was fun, it was an amazing experience,” Gates said on his visit to Florida for Friday Night Lights. “I had a lot of fun with the other players that were there [Florida] and the coaches. It was an amazing experience.”
Gates was on campus in June, but he said he was able to see more during this visit and he liked what he was able to see.
“It was really good, I already liked Florida,” he said on this trip compared to his last one. “Having more fun and another good experience made me like them even more.”
During the trip, Gates spent a lot time with defensive backs coach Jules Montinar and the two are building a good relationship.
“It was great, I like Coach Jules [Montinar],” Gates said on hanging out with the coaches. “He’s a great coach and a laid-back person like me. It was fun, just getting to talk to him off the field and not being as intense.”
Gates says the Gators haven’t told him exactly where he would play if he picked Florida for college but he has a pretty good idea on where that would be.
“I think so,” he said on if Florida wants him at corner. “Because I’ve been talking to Coach Jules more, but they’ve told me they’re just recruiting me as a defensive back not just at one position. They like my size and speed at the line.”
Following the visit to Gainesville in July, Gates says the Gators are high on his list as he gets ready to narrow things down.
“Florida is definitely near the top, I don’t have a top five or top ten yet,” Gates said of Florida is now that he has visited twice. “Florida is definitely going to be up there when those are released.”
The Gators will get the chance to host Gates again this fall as the defensive back wants to visit Gainesville for a game.
“I don’t know which games, but I know that I’m going to make it to at least one game at Florida this year,” he said. “I haven’t seen which one yet.”