The Florida Gators didn’t host any official visitors for Saturday’s game against Alabama but that didn’t stop several guys from making the long trip to Gainesville.
Defensive lineman Chris McClellan (6-3, 295, Owasso, OK. High) was one of those guys who made the long trip, and he spent a lot of time around the team and staff.
“It was a little different because I got to get an even more in-depth look,” McClellan said of his visit to Florida on Saturday compared to his official visit. “I got to see the guys warm up, I was here for about 10 hours. I got to see them from pregame, to warmup, to the walk-through. It was really cool.”
McClellan was impressed by the Gators defensive line and how one player is playing in particular.
“Honestly, I think this year Zach Carter has been unstoppable all across the field,” he said on Florida’s defensive line. “Teams like Alabama are having to scheme different. Gervon Dexter, [Antonio] Valentino, they’ve playing phenomenal.”
Defensive line coach David Turner compared McClellan to Carter but says the defensive line prospect does some things that Carter didn’t at the same age.
“Just seeing how they play, just matching my size, I feel like I play very similar to Zach Carter right now,” McClellan said on how he thinks he will fit into the defense. “Coach Turner said some stuff that I do right now that even he wasn’t doing last year. Seeing Zach and how he’s playing.”
McClellan has grown close with Turner, and he likes the honest approach the defensive line coach brings to the table.
“Coach Turner is a really cool dude, he’s a good person,” he said on his relationship with Turner. “He’s always going to keep it 100 with you and tell you the truth. He’s never going to steer you wrong.”
Three schools are standing out to McClellan as he has a few visits planned before he wants to make a decision.
“Florida, Ohio State, Oklahoma,” McClellan said on teams standing out. “I have my official visit to Oklahoma next week for the West Virginia game and I’m going to try and make it back up to Ohio State. On October 25th I will be taking my official visit to Alabama. After I do all of that, I think I will be ready to make my decision.”