Over the last few days the Florida Gators football camp has focused on nothing but the skill position players. That changed on Sunday as the special teams guys came to camp.
While the Gators were expecting several big names on campus on Sunday the one guy that stood out and earned an offer was JUCO kicker Eddy Pineiro (6-1, 180, Miami, FL ASA College)
“The head coach from Florida offered me a full ride scholarship after camp today [Sunday],” Pineiro said. “He stood up and told me that he would like to extend a full ride scholarship to me to attend Florida for four years and play for them.”
Pineiro dominated camps at Alabama and Miami earlier this week, which backed up his No. 1 kicker ranking from KornblueKicking.com, but he didn’t earn offer from them. That made Sunday’s offer was a big one to get.
“It’s awesome and it’s honor to even be considered for an offer to Florida,” Pineiro said. “I really felt at home here and all of the coaches were super nice guys. I’m really glad they were the first to offer me.”
McElwain watched Sunday’s camp closely, as he understands the importance of having a big kicker on campus and Pineiro was impressed by the Gators head man.
“Coach McElwain is an awesome guy and is a straight shooter,” Pineiro said. “He doesn’t cut around the corners but just tells you how it is. He’s just a very straight shooter and a great guy.”
Tight ends/special teams coach Greg Nord also watched Pineiro closely on Sunday and he had a pretty clear message for the JUCO kicker.
“Coach Nord said that they think I can do some big things for them here,” Pineiro said. “He said that I have a lot of strength as a kicker and I have big leg and that’s something they need at Florida.”
The coaching staff at Florida knew it was important to lay out the red carpet for Pineiro on Sunday and they did just that and Pineiro was very appreciative of that.
“They took me around the football offices, the weight room and the dorms,” Pineiro said. “After that they took me around the whole campus to show me the soccer fields, the girls field and really everything else. I really liked what I saw today [Sunday]. I loved everything.”
One year ago Pineiro was on the soccer fields in junior college, scoring goals before he was asked to play football. Now he has chosen to continue his football career at the next level.
“I’m in JUCO now but I will have three years of Division I football left to play,” Pineiro said. “I’ll be enrolling next summer at whichever school I choose to attend and I’ll have three years left to play at that school.”
The Gators coaching staff may not have to wait long to hear back from Pineiro, who has hit a 65-yard field goal, because the kicker is heading back home to talk about a potential decision.
“I’m driving back to Miami now and I want to sit down with my mom and dad and see what they think about everything,” Pineiro said. “I’m going to be honest with you I want to make a decision soon and I really really have strong interest in Florida.”
INSIDERS TAKE: I would be shocked if Pineiro didn’t make a call to Florida within the next day or two to let them he has had made a decision. Pineiro is ranked No. 1 overall by some kicking sites and No. 3 by others so the Gators would be getting a good one if they are able to land Pineiro.
If he accepts, will he come in time for this season or next? There’s the comment about next summer, but if he’s a JUCO transfer, is it too late for this season?
He will be a 2016 prospect.
Yes, Sky, I agree about rankings (actually for just about any player). However, getting some good pub about a recruit (even a JUCO) is very important to us right now. We need not only renewed energy and success on the field, but rebuilding our image in the minds of many. This is a positive step (and could be quite a signing that helps us win some games).