Last weekend, the Florida Gators hosted over a dozen prospects on campus including one of their biggest flip targets of the class.
Florida State defensive end commit Javion Hilson (6-3, 235, Cocoa, FL. High) was on campus and he likes the way the team is together and close with each other.
“It went great, it was good to be back on campus,” Hilson said. “The last time I was here was for a spring practice, it was good to see Coach [Billy] Napier and Coach Mike P [Peterson]. It was a good time here. The brotherhood here and relationships here, I just love it.”
Hilson knows that last season didn’t go as planned for the Gators, but he witnessed some things during the weekend that showed promise for the 2024 football season.
“I see that Florida didn’t have a good season last year, but I see that they’re rebuilding,” he said of Florida. “After we seen the players in the weight room getting after it and doing their own work without the coaches telling them too. I know they’re fixing to having a good season.”
The defensive end was glad to be able to hang out with the coaches over the weekend and he likes how Mike Peterson coaches his group.
“It felt great to see how Coach Mike P develops the players and stuff,” Hilson said on being around the coaches. “It was nice to see Mike P and see how he works with them and stuff. He treats them like his own kids. It was nice talking to him.”
Hilson remains committed to Florida State, but he says the Gators made a big move in his recruitment this weekend and are now battling the Noles.
“Right now, after this OV, they’re right behind Florida State,” he said on where Florida stands for him. “They kind of got me thinking right now and visualizing myself playing here in their defensive scheme and stuff. It’s nice, Florida is high. I will be back here for the Miami game.”
After leaving the Alabama class following Nick Saban’s retirement, HIlson understands that he has to look at the school as well as the coaches and he spent a lot of time around a freshman at Florida to learn more about the Gators.
“It’s about relationship and development, that’s what I look at,” Hilson said on what he’s looking for in a school. “I built a relationship with LJ McCray because I know one year ago he was in the same position as I am. It was nice being with him and he was telling me about how Coach Mike P develops guys and how he’s a father figure.”
The Gators are the biggest threat to FSU right now but he says two other schools are also in the mix.
“Right now, it’s Florida is right behind FSU then Texas and UCF,” he said on schools still in the mix for him. “After official visits that’s when I’m going to shut down my recruitment and focus on the one school I pick.”