Last weekend was a huge weekend for unofficial visitors on Florida’s campus. Defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie (6-4, 309, Concord, CA De La Salle) came in for Saturday’s practice where he was blown away by the energy the team showed during practice.
“I think the visit went really well, I was very impressed by the facilities, the team and how they got after it the first day of pads on Saturday,” McKenzie said. “I was excited that I was able to get out there and see everything for myself and meet the coaches and some of the players too.”
Like most defensive lineman that visit Gainesville McKenzie walked away from his visit very impressed by what he saw from defensive line coach Brad Lawing.
“Coach Lawing is a really good coach,” McKenzie said. “I got to see him on the field and in the film room and got to see how he talks to his guys about the game. He’s a really cool coach and I got a really good feeling about him and his coaching style.”
McKenzie also had the opportunity to sit down with Will Muschamp who told the California prospect to watch the Gators this year because last year was a fluke.
“Coach Muschamp was just really telling me about the program and what he has done the past couple of years,” McKenzie said. “He told me to really just watch them this year because last year was tough because of injuries. He said look for them this year because they will have a really good season.”
Now that McKenzie has visited some of the east coast schools he’s interested in he is now seeing how difficult of a decision this will be for him.
“All of the schools have different parts about them that I like and everyone is great in their different ways,” McKenzie said. “It’s going to be a tough decision but right now I don’t have a leader or anyone standing out.”
Official visits will play a big role in McKenzie’s decision but right now he’s unsure of what schools will even receive those five visits.
“I’m really not ready to make any decisions on my official visits yet but I could take one to Florida,” McKenzie said. “I’m going to have to go over everything first to finalize my official visits.
One school that McKenzie will take an unofficial visit too soon is the favorite Tennessee Volunteers who have family connections to McKenzie.
“My dad played for Tennessee so I have a lot of family still around the area,” McKenzie said. “I talk to Coach (Butch) Jones a lot and they are going to be a factor in my decision.”