Hammond sticking with the Florida Gators

Head coach Jim McElwain has tried to limit the official visitors on the Florida Gators recruiting visitor’s list during the season in hopes to get more official visitors on campus after the season.

However the Gators are allowing early enrollee prospects to take official visits to Florida and the Gators hosted a commit during the Vanderbilt game.

Florida Gators receiver commit Josh Hammond (6-0, 180, Hallandale, FL High) was the first Gators’ commit to take an official last weekend and Hammond enjoyed his visit to Florida.

“It was a good visit and I had a good time back up in Gainesville,” Hammond said. “I really enjoyed my time there and it was great time for me and my family. I got to see the indoor practice facility for the first time and I was able to see the new renovated dorm rooms. It was a good visit.”

Hammond, who has been in the Swamp several times watching his older brother Frankie Hammond play, said that the Swamp was back to old times as far as energy in the building.

“It was a great atmosphere for the game, it was back to the way it was when Coach [Urban] Meyer was there,” he said. “The atmosphere is always great up there and especially when they’re winning ball games. The Swamp is a great place to be around.”

Like most offensive prospects Hammond is happy with the way Doug Nussmeier’s offense is moving and he’s excited for the future of the Gators offense.

“The offense is moving in the right direction this year,” Hammond said. “They’re putting a lot of points on the board and that’s something they have struggled with the last few years. I think they’re going in a great direction and I can’t wait to be apart of it.”

Gators linebacker coach Randy Shannon is Hammond’s area recruiter, but Hammond says he’s talks receiver coach Kerry Dixon and others a lot about the Gators.

“I talk to Coach Mac, Coach Dixon and Coach Shannon some, but Coach Mac and Coach Dixon the most,” he said. “Coach Mac has been telling me to come in and do what I do. He said that I need to do what I have to do to affect the team early next year.”

McElwain is known for talking to recruits more about the general picture and Hammond says that Dixon gets more into X’s and O’s with him then McElwain does.

“Coach Dixon is pretty much telling me the same thing Coach Mac is telling me,” Hammond said. “He talks more in depth about the receiver position and Coach Mac talks more in depth about the overall program. Coach Dixon has told me that he sees me as a guy that can play inside or outside.”

Earlier this fall Hammond took an official visit to Georgia but Hammond says that Florida Gators recruiting fans have nothing to worry about with his commitment to Florida.

“I’m pretty much done with my recruitment, I’m going stay solid with my commitment to Florida,” he said. “I’m probably going to take a visit to Florida for the Florida State game but after that I’m probably done with visits.”

 

INSIDERS TAKE: Hammond is early enrolling at Florida and he says his main goal is to get on campus and learn the playbook in hopes of playing as a freshman next year. Hammond said that he sees himself more as an outside receiver, but he can play anywhere. I think Hammond sticks with the Florida Gators.

 

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.