Last weekend, the Florida Gators coaching staff hosted one of their top targets on the offensive line for a visit.
Offensive lineman Lucas Simmons (6-7, 300, Clearwater, FL. Clearwater Academy International) was on campus for the second time in a month and liked the calm visit he had.
“It went good, I liked it, I actually loved it to be honest,” Simmons said of his visit to Florida on Saturday. “It was kind of a laid-back visit, it wasn’t a huge event, we just sat down and talked and met the coaches again. It was a fun and laid-back visit.”
Simmons felt it was important to get back to Gainesville again after visiting for the spring game as he’s trying to continue to build that relationship with the coaching staff.
“I like the people and it’s a place that’s close to me and quick to get to, so I just felt that if I chance to go up there and get to know them better then why not go visit,” he said on why he decided to visit again so quickly after the spring game. “I got to know Coach Sale and Coach Stapleton better, the coaches are all-around good people.”
The lineman admits that while Florida has come in late in the game compared to other schools, the Gators have gained a lot of ground and Simmons now feels comfortable around the staff.
“It’s going better, other schools I’ve known for going on a year now,” Simmons said on his relationship with the staff. “Some of those schools I’ve talked with longer, I don’t click with as well as I do with Coach Sale and Coach Stapleton. They’re all genuine and I feel like they haven’t told me wrong, I’ve talked to all the players and nobody in my circle feels different about them. It feels good to know that everyone thinks that they’re real people.”
Florida’s staff has made sure to let Simmons know he’s wanted by tweeting ‘#HejaGators’ which in Swedish means Go Gators and its a simple act that is big for the lineman.
“It’s crazy, it shows that they actually care about where I’m from and what I’m about,” he said on feeling like a priority with the staff tweeting about him. “They actually put in the work and ask me how to say ‘Go Gators’ in Swedish. That alone means a lot and really appreciated.”
After the visit to Gainesville this weekend, Simmons decided to go ahead and book an official visit to Florida because he wants everyone around him to see what he sees with the staff.
“I’m booked my official visit, I feel so good about them,” Simmons said on where Florida stands with him. “I want my parents to see what I’m seeing so I’m taking an OV there in June. It will be June 10th, if not the 10th, then later in June.”
Three other schools will also host Simmons on an official visit before he hopes to make a decision before his senior year.
“Tennessee, USC, Florida State, and Florida,” he said on official visits. “The plan is to make a decision when I’m comfortable so after OV’s I’m going to step aside, July and August I will make a decision hopefully.”