McDonald believes in the future of the Florida Gators under Billy Napier

This weekend the Florida Gators once hosted a number of top targets on campus for official visits including several out-of-state prospects.

Defensive tackle Kayden McDonald (6-3, 310, Suwannee, GA. North Gwinnett) was on campus and enjoyed being around the staff and he likes what Billy Napier is building with the Gators.

“The culture,” McDonald said of his visit to Florida this weekend. “Coach Napier he’s changing it from the previous years, I can see it from the updates on the facility, the players, the players are all together, it’s like a brotherhood. The hires, like Coach Chaos [Sean Spencer] and Coach [Kareem] Reid, they’re fixing to change Florida.”

McDonald has built a solid relationship with another defensive lineman on the team who wants the defensive tackle to join him in Gainesville.

“Chris McClellan,” he said on who his player host is. “He said he wants to play beside me and that we can do special things together, go win an SEC championship together and both be first-round draft picks. He’s kind of like a big brother to me, we hung out the last time I came here.”

Defensive line coach Sean Spencer broke down just how the Gators would use McDonald if he picks Florida for college.

“The way I play, Coach Spencer went through the scheme they’re going to run and I work good at the 3, 2, and 1,” McDonald said on where Spencer wants him to play. “He likes to move around guys, and they think I’m versatile and one of the best pass rushers in the country.”

McDonald came out with a top 10 list a few weeks ago and the Gators made the cut and the defensive tackle says Florida will be a finalist for him in the long run.

“They’ve definitely moved up, pretty top 3,” McDonald said on where Florida stands with him after the visit. “I’m very much considering Florida; I just know Florida is up there. It’s Florida, I want to play in the SEC. Coach Napier ran the SunBelt, so he’s going to win some games if I come here or not, they’re going to win.”

Next up for McDonald will be another official visit and then he will wait to finish his official visits in the fall.

“I’ve got Michigan State next week and then I’m going to take the rest of my officials and then commit,” McDonald said. “If I’m ready then I will commit before the rest, I would like to commit in October.”

 

INSIDERS TAKE: McDonald said he will either be back for the cook-out in July or for the Utah game this fall.

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.