Over the weekend, the Florida Gators coaching staff hosted several big visitors on campus for unofficial visits including a few out-of-state prospects.
Tight end Walter Matthews (6-7, 245, Hiram, GA. High) was on campus over the weekend and enjoyed meeting with the coaching staff.
“It was good, I liked it a lot,” Matthews said of his visit to Florida on Saturday. “I got to tour the facilities, the new facility they just built, and sit down and talk with the coach. I talked with Coach [Billy] Napier and Coach [Russ] Callaway.”
This was the first time for Matthews to meet new tight ends coach Russ Callaway and it was a good first impression for the tight end.
“It was good to finally meet him,” he said of meeting Callaway. “He really knows the ins and outs of football since he has a background of being a coach and from him being an analyst and stuff like that. Him being on staff last year helps.”
Callaway and Matthews sat down and talked football on Saturday and the Gators’ assistant coach explained to him how he would be used in the offense.
“He always tells me that Florida is the place to be and that Florida is perfect for me,” Matthews said on the message from Callaway. “He said they need tight ends, and he was comparing me to other tight ends because I can put my hand down and split out wide.”
Head coach Billy Napier also met with Matthews on Saturday and explained to him how important the position is to Florida’s offense.
“He was just talking about his background and his plans for Florida,” he said on the message from Napier. “He said they’re in need of a tight end because they plan to use the tight end a lot because they run the pro-style offense and they want to use him a lot.”
Matthews has been to Gainesville several times now and he says a few things in general keep him coming back.
“I like the area, the people, and that it’s a small town that makes a good environment,” Matthews said on what he likes about Florida. “I feel welcomed there, the coaches are a welcoming staff.”
After this visit, Matthew says two teams are standing out to him as he gets ready to take official visits and make a summer commitment.
“Florida and USC are standing out,” he said. “Florida is one of my final schools, I’m taking an official visit to Florida the second week of June and I’m going to USC the first week of June. Most likely I’ll make a decision after those two visits.”