On Friday, the Florida Gators picked up their second commitment for the Class of 2022 when an in-state prospect picked the Gators.
2022 defensive end Francois Nolton (6-4, 225, Miami, FL. Edison) committed to Florida over offers from Alabama and Auburn among others and defensive line coach David Turner was a big reason why he choose the Gators.
“I was cool with the coaches,” Nolton said on why he committed to Florida. “They made me feel like family and they got along with my mom and dad. Coach Turner just made me feel good about playing football at Florida.”
Nolton has a good relationship with multiple coaches at Florida and they all send a similar vibe to the defensive end.
“I love our relationship, I talk to him, Coach Hova, Coach [Dan] Mullen sometimes and Coach [Tim] Brewster,” he said on his relationship with Florida. “They’re all cool and they make me comfortable, they treat me like we’re family.”
Turner has explained to Nolton that his position will be based on how much he grows in the next two years but right now he sees him playing the BUCK position in Florida’s defense.
“Coach Turner told me that he’s going to see where I’m going to play based on my weight,” Nolton said on the message from Turner. “He thinks I’m going to end up playing the BUCK position. He told me he was going to make me a great defensive lineman in the SEC.”
Head coach Dan Mullen has also talked to Nolton a good bit about what being a Gator is about and how he’s involved with the team.
“Coach Mullen can’t wait to get me up there, and my family too,” he said on the message from Mullen. “He’s always telling me how he does things in Gainesville and how he hangs with the kids and how he treats everybody like family. He thinks I can do big things at Florida.”
Nolton admits that COVID has prevented him from visiting some schools he would like to and he plans to still see some of those schools despite his commitment.
“I like Florida a lot, I can’t speak on other schools because I haven’t been there,” Nolton said on if he will take other visits besides Florida. “I’m going to take visits but I’m a Gator.”