Wednesday was a busy day for the Florida Gators coaching staff as they handed out several new offers to prospects around the southeast.
Receiver Chandler Smith (6-3, 190, Orlando, FL. Bishop Moore Catholic) was one of those guys who received the news on Wednesday
“It was Coach [Billy] Gonzales and Coach Mullen,” Smith said on the coach from Florida who offered him on Wednesday. “They said they loved my speed and the way I can take the tops off of defenses.”
Smith has been in talks with the Gators coaching staff the last few weeks and has just been waiting to receive the news from the coaching staff.
“This offer means a lot to me, I was very happy about it,” he said on his reaction to the offer. “I have been talking with them for about three weeks so I was just praying for the best.”
Receivers coach Billy Gonzales explained to Smith on Wednesday how he would fit into the offense in Gainesville and how the Gators could use his game.
“He said that he loved my speed and he could move me around some,” Smith said on the message from Gonzales. “They love how I could blow the top off of a defense and I would be used as a deep threat to do that.”
The relationship between Smith and Gonzales is already pretty strong, as the two talk almost daily.
“My relationship with them is very good,” he said on his relationship with the coaches. “I facetime Coach Gonzales about once or twice a week but we text about every day. I like that he’s very honest with me and welcoming. He has coached a lot of receivers that ended up being great and going to the league.”
Next up for Smith will be a chance to see the coaches on a virtual visit but he hopes to be able to get on campus this summer.
“I have a high interest in them,” Smith said of his interest in Florida. “They have had great success with wide receivers these past few years and I love that they throw the ball around. I have a zoom call sometime this week discussing a virtual visit and then hopefully when everything opens up, I’ll take an official to Florida.”
Smith has a lot of teams battling for his signature as he wants to make a decision after the summer is over.
“I plan on making my decision right before my senior season so around late August,” he said when he wants to make a decision. “Other schools that I’m talking to a lot are Arkansas, Iowa State, South Carolina, Michigan, and West Virginia, there is more but those are the main ones I’m in contact with.”