Billy Napier and the Florida Gators coaching staff have put a focus on taking back the state of Florida and keeping the top prospects instate and on Saturday many of those top guys were in Gainesville.
Offensive lineman Roderick Kearney (6-4, 300, Orange Park, FL. High) was on campus for the first time on Saturday.
“I had a great time, my mom had a great time,” Kearney said of his visit to Florida. “My friend had a great time too; it was a really great experience meeting all the coaches for the first time. They put on a show, and I loved it.”
Kearney watched the Gators practice closely and watched how offensive line coaches Darnell Stapleton and Rob Sale coached the players.
“I got to see the new facility that’s being built and the stadium,” he said on what he got to do. “I got to watch practice. It was awesome, those guys got after it with each other. I like how they fly around; everything is fast-paced.”
Over the past few months, both Sale and Stapleton have spent a lot of time trying to get to know Kearney and his parents.
“My mom really loves the coaches,” Kearney said of his impressions of the staff. “I just really love how they communicate; they communicate well, they not only communicate with me, but they communicate with my parents.”
The Gators have explained to Kearney that they like his game and that he could pretty much play anywhere on the offensive line, but they like him at one particular position.
“My physicality and my finishing,” he said on the message from the staff. “They like my all-around versatility and how I can play all five positions on the field. They really said center because I can move but that I can really play all five.”
Heading into the visit, Kearney didn’t know a lot about the Gators, but he says Florida made a big impression on him.
“I love Florida actually,” Kearney said of his interest in Florida. “It’s close to home, that isn’t going to affect my decision but a school this close to home is showing how they can develop me into a great player and stuff.”
Over the last month, Kearney has visited several SEC schools and he says he’s likely done with unofficial visits for a little bit but he does plan to return to Gainesville.
“I’ll be back, the spring game probably,” he said on when he plans to return to Florida.