On Saturday, the Florida Gators coaching staff hosted several of their top 2024 prospects on campus for the first junior day of 2023.
Offensive lineman Jake Guarnera (6-3, 290, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. High) was on campus and got to spend a lot of time talking ball with the coaching staff.
“It was awesome,” Guarnera said of his visit to Florida on Saturday. “First off, I got to go watch film with Coach [Rob] Sale, then we did staff introductions then we walked around the facilities. I got to meet with Coach Napier and then got a photo shoot.”
Guarnera has been on campus a lot but Saturday was the first time that he really got to sit down and watch film with the coaching staff and he believes the Gators’ offense is very similar to what he’s familiar with.
“Talking scheme and fit with them, it’s very similar to what we run at my high school,” he said of Florida’s offense. “I think it would be a seamless transition for me to go in there and get started working right away.”
Offensive line coach Rob Sale explained to Guarnera during the visit just where the Gators like him at on the line and how he could help the team if he comes to Gainesville.
“They want me on the interior,” Guarnera said on where Florida likes him at. “Most schools see me at center that can move out to guard. That’s what Coach Sale has been telling me too. They like my versatility.”
Head coach Billy Napier also explained to Guarnera during the visit why the Gators’ program is on the rise.
“He said he has all the tools he needs to build a great program,” he said on the message from Napier. “I like where his vision is in terms of the future. He talked about the people there and the support they have with over 100 people there for just football.”
Guarnera knows a lot about the Gators’ coaching staff but he’s hoping to build a relationship with quarterback commit DJ Lagway in the future.
“Me and DJ [Lagway] haven’t talked much but I’m assuming he’s going to reach out more in the future,” Guarnera said on building a relationship with DJ Lagway. “Obviously knowing who the quarterback is going to be is big so we can build a relationship so I can see their personality, their play style and how they lead.”
After the visit, Guarnera says the Gators are in a good spot for him as they battle several other teams for his signature.
“Florida is definitely one of the top schools in my recruitment right now,” he said on where Florida stands with him. “There are other schools that I’m really high on too, but Florida is up there. Penn State, NC State, Clemson, Tennessee, and Miami I just got an offer from.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Guarnera said he wants to commit in July after taking official visits in the spring and summer.