This weekend has been a busy one for the Florida Gators as prospects have been on campus all week and then on Saturday for the first scrimmage of the spring.
Receiver Koby Howard (5-11, 185, Hollywood, FL. Chaminade Madonna Prep) was on campus on Friday as he spent the day around the players and staff.
“The visit was great,” Howard said of his visit to Florida on Friday. “I loved it, I’m glad I got a chance to hang out with the players and see how it’s to be a Gator. The coaches and players were very welcoming and gave me a lot to think about. After visiting and experiencing everything it would be hard for me not to pick the Gators in the end.”
One of the things that Howard was able to do was shadow receiver TJ Abrams to see what a day as a Gator is like and he enjoyed the day.
“I didn’t know TJ [Abrams] until we met Friday, it was really cool shadowing TJ,” he said on shadowing TJ Abrams. “I learned a lot about him and the things he likes to do and how much he loves being a part of the Gator football family. Shadow day gave me a chance to chill with some players and find out how they really feel about playing at Florida. Every player that I spoke to had nothing but good things to say about UF and the coaching staff.”
Howard was able to spend some time around head coach Billy Napier who had a message to him about this year’s team.
“Most Florida players would rather stay in Florida to play football not to mention UF is in the best conference, the SEC,” he said on what Napier had to say to him. “Coach Napier said this is the best team he has had since he’s been at Florida and believes that he will put the nation on notice this year for sure. I can’t wait.”
Receivers coach Billy Gonzales also spent time with Howard on Friday and showed him he would fit into Florida’s offense if he picks the Gators.
“We watched a lot of film of the offense, he was showing me how they move the wideouts around and telling me that’s how he would use me in their offense,” Howard said on the message from Gonzales. “Their offense is made for players like me, players with the ability to play inside or outside. He said I was a matchup nightmare that has a really good chance to play early in that offense. He mentioned that my junior film is impressive, that I’m super explosive off the ball and that I play at a different speed than everyone else on the field, and when I get the ball in my hands I’m even better. He feels that I have the ability with his help to become of the greatest playmakers to ever put on a Gator uniform if I choose to play there.”
Following the visit, Howard says the Gators helped their chances with him for several reasons including the location.
“UF is very high,” he said on where Florida stands in his recruitment. “I love how they’re recruiting me, making me feel like a priority for sure. They play in the best conference; I wouldn’t have to leave the state and they have one of the greatest fan bases in America. Not to mention playing in an iconic stadium like the Swamp would be something special.”
One thing that has Howard a little worried about Florida is the rumors of Coach Napier being on the hot seat this year.
“It’s hard to ignore the rumors of Coach Napier and staff being on the hot seat,” Howard said on what Florida needs to do to gain ground. “If not for that it would be a no-brainer decision. UF has everything that I’m looking for in a program and I’m looking forward to continuing to build a strong relationship I hope this staff wins this year and stays together because if that happens you will see a major shift in recruiting.”
The Gators are chasing a few other schools for Howard right now as the receiver knows things can change quickly.
“Right now, three other schools are doing a really good job recruiting me and they’re Florida State, Ole Miss, and Notre Dame,” he said on schools recruiting him hard. “I would say they’re higher on my list as of right now, but things could change quickly in this recruiting game.”
Next up for Howard will be more visits this spring including a return trip to Gainesville and then official visits will take place.
“I may visit a couple more schools in April, schools like Oregon and USC want me to visit for their spring game,” Howard said on what’s next in his recruitment. “I should be at the orange and blue game and then my official visits are set. Florida, FSU, Pitt, and Ole Miss. A decision will be in late June to early August.”