Manuel has the Florida Gators in his top 3

On Saturday, the Florida Gators had just a few 2019 prospects on campus but one of the staff’s top 2020 targets was on campus.

2020 receiver Leonard Manuel (6-4, 200, Ocala, FL. Vanguard) has been a frequent visitor in Gainesville and he was back on Saturday as he tries to build a relationship with everyone at Florida.

“We got here pretty late, like two minutes left in the first quarter and it was already 28-0,” Manuel said of his visit to Florida. “It was just coming up here and being around the coaching staff and the guys. Just building a relationship because they’re in my top three. I’m paying attention to everything.”

The receiver has talked about his interest in Florida a lot as of late and Manuel says it’s everything about Gainesville that he likes.

“Just the coaches, the players and the environment,” he said on why Florida is in his top three. “I just feel like I can stay here and live here and play. Everything will be great.”

On Saturday, Manuel talked to several coaches including head coach Dan Mullen and they had a message for the receiver.

“I talked to Coach Billy [Gonzales] and Coach Dan [Mullen],” Manuel said on which coaches he talked to on Saturday. “Their message was just finishing school and being a leader.”

The coaching staff has explained just how Manuel would fit into the offense if he chooses Florida and the receiver also likes the guy who could potentially be throwing him the ball.

“Blocking and being able to go and get the ball,” he said on what the coaches tell him about how he fits into the offense. “I feel like I can fit in. I like Emory Jones, the quarterback. He can get out of the pocket and he can throw it. It makes the defense think.”

Manuel who has been quiet about naming leaders in the past says he has three teams standing out to him.

“Florida, Penn State and Georgia,” he said on his top three. “I’m going to wait to signing day.”

 

INSIDERS TAKE: Manuel says he thinks he’s going to visit Florida State next week for the Florida game. The 2020 receiver sounds like he’s going to wait it out for a while before he makes a decision.

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.

1 COMMENT

  1. You have been noticably silent about the 2019 recruiting. From what I can tell it is not going well. Why is this? The Elam looks like the only Top 100 uncommited recruit we have any chance to sign. We need more insight into what’s going on!!