The buzz around the Florida program the last week has been about new receiver coach Chris Leak and how well he will do in replacing departed coach Joker Phillips.
This week receiver commit Tristan Payton (6-0, 187, Jacksonville, FL First Coast) had the chance to work one-on-one with Leak and I would say the visit was a success for both parties.
“It was a good time, it was pretty good,” Payton said. “I got the chance to work with Coach Leak and that was good. I felt comfortable with him and he made me feel at home again. That made me feel good.”
Leak doesn’t have any experience coaching the receiver position but does have a national championship for playing quarterback and he used that experience to teach Payton a few things.
“I definitely think he knows what he’s doing at the position,” Payton said. “He showed me some things with my routes and he was talking to me about the mental game of being a receiver in college football. I think he understands the mental game more because of his background of being a quarterback.”
After working with Leak throughout the day on Tuesday Payton had the opportunity to talk to head coach Will Muschamp about his performance.
“Coach Muschamp told me that I did pretty well out there at camp,” Payton said. “I told him that I still have room to improve and that I’m working hard and he liked that. He liked what he saw out of camp though.”
Despite the coaching change Payton has remained positive about the Gators and now he is trying to bring a few guys to Gainesville with him.
“I’m solid to Florida,” Payton said. “I’m actually trying to get a few guys to join me right now at Florida. I’m trying to get my boy Javarius Davis to come with me but he’s still waiting on the offer. He ran a 4.3 the other day at camp.”
One guy that he doesn’t have to recruit is quarterback commit Sheririon Jones but Payton is looking forward to the day the two meet in person.
“I like the new quarterback Sheriron,” Payton said. “He’s a big kid and has a strong arm, I can’t wait to talk to him and meet him. I haven’t spoken to him yet but I think he’s coming back down in July so I maybe I can meet him then.”