The Florida Gators have a huge need for big playmaking receivers in the class of 2016 and this past weekend the Gators two of the best in the state of Florida.
One of those was receiver Isaiah Johnson (6-3, 190. West Palm Beach, FL Dwyer) who visited Florida for the first time ever on Saturday with his mother.
“It was great time, I liked everything,” Johnson said. “The school and everything is up to date there. The town is a college town. I really can’t say anything negative about Florida, it’s just a great school. My mom and me loved it.”
One of the things that stood out to Johnson was the personality of all the new coaches that Florida has brought on this past year.
“All of the coaches are just laid back, they didn’t put any pressure on me to do anything,” Johnson said. “They just made sure to tell me that I’m wanted there and if I want to go to Florida then I have a spot there. I really liked everyone.”
Head coach Jim McElwain is no stranger to how young prospects mind works and he shared with Johnson that he was not rushing anyone to make quick decisions.
“Coach Mac was just telling me that he’s a winner and that he has won everywhere he has been,” Johnson said. “He said he knows the process of recruiting and that he knows that I have to talk to my family and that he just wanted to let me know that I have an offer on the table from him.”
Receiver coach Kerry Dixon and McElwain kind of tag teamed Johnson’s visit on Saturday and they laid out a simple, but important, message to the receiver.
“He and coach Dixon just made me feel wanted during the visit,” Johnson said. “Coach Dixon told me that they are kind of weak at receiver right now and that they need some receivers to make plays down the field like me.”
Dixon may not have a long line of success at coaching receivers but McElwain made sure to tell Johnson about his history with big time receivers.
“Coach McElwain told me about all of the success he has had with receivers in the past,” Johnson said. “He had Rashard Higgins last year that went for over 1,000 yards and he had Julio Jones at Alabama. I know he knows what he’s doing there.”
Heading into the visit on Saturday Johnson was committed to the instate Miami Hurricanes but McElwain quickly changed the Dwyer prospects mind.
“I decommited from Miami on Sunday,” Johnson said. “Florida is number one school right now and Miami and UCF are after them. I’m supposed to be going back up to Florida on Friday.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Florida is the leader by a good margin now for Johnson and with a upcoming visit to the Gators this weekend things could get very interesting here.