This week the Florida Gators coaching staff has been busy this week sending out several new offers to prospects all around the southeast.
2021 defensive back De’Shawn Rucker (5-11, 170, Tallahassee, FL. Godby) was one of those guys offered this week when he talked to the Gators coaching staff.
Coach Rat [Keiwan Ratliff] and Coach [Ron] English broke the news to me today [Tuesday] after track practice,” Rucker said of the coach who offered him from Florida. “They basically told me they loved my film and they can’t wait for me to check out the campus.”
Rucker was excited to pick up the offer from the Gators this week as he knows the DBU history Florida has.
“The offer means a lot actually,” he said on what the offer means to him. “I grew up watching Florida, seeing the great defensive backs coming out of there and going to the NFL so I was shocked honestly. It’s a blessing that this school sees potential in me.”
Safeties coach Ron English explained to Rucker this week just how the Gators see him fitting into Florida’s defense.
“He said I was a versatile guy with my speed,” Rucker said on what English told him on how he will fit into Florida’s defense. “They said maybe I could play corner or safety but my best fit was the star/nickel spot. They felt I could come in and fill in that spot really well.”
Despite living in Tallahassee, Rucker says he grew up watching the Gators play and he likes the defense in Gainesville.
“I grew up watching them so I’ve always liked them,” he said on his interest in Florida. “I love the defense they play and how they move around fast.”
Next up for Rucker is a visit to Gainesville as the defensive back wants to see the Gators for himself.
“I plan to visit sometime in March,” Rucker said on when he plans to visit Florida. “If I can’t get there then, than I will be there on April 4th.”
The Gators aren’t the only team pushing hard for Rucker as the defensive back is hoping to make a decision before his senior year.
“Mostly the top SEC and ACC schools are,” he said on schools recruiting him hard. “I don’t have a leader at this time but my goal was to decide this summer but it may get pushed back to the fall.”