The Florida Gators have almost all of the 2021 recruiting class wrapped up already so they’ve turned their attention to a lot of 2022 prospects.
2022 linebacker Devin Smith (6-2, 235, Orange Park, FL. Oakleaf) is a guy the coaching staff is talking to early on.
“I talk to a couple of coaches from Florida,” Smith said. “The main coaches I talk to from Florida are Coach Torrian Gray the DB coach and Coach [Christian] Robinson the LB coach.”
Linebackers coach Christian Robinson has been one of the main ones talking to Smith about where he could play at in Gainesville.
“He asks me how I’m doing and how I’ve been keeping up with myself,” he said on the conversations with Robinson. “Earlier this year when I went to the junior day he told me he sees me as a middle linebacker, more of a leader for the defense.”
Defensive backs coach Torrian Gray has also talked to Smith about the Gators and how much Florida wants him in the class.
“He tells me how interested they’re in me at Florida, “Smith said on the talks with Gray. “He asks me about how I’ve been keeping with up myself and how I’m doing in school.”
Smith has visited Gainesville a few times and that has helped him build a good relationship with the coaching staff.
“It’s a good relationship,” he said. “I grew up watching them and have always been a fan of the Swamp and I fell in love with them ever since watching [Tim] Tebow.”
Smith has a lot of time before he has to make a decision but he says he has a lot of interest in the Gators for several reasons.
“I’m really interested in them,” Smith said on his interest in Florida. “I like the fan base and the environment of the whole there. Also, the consistency in the past years to be a top team in the nation.”
INSIDERS NOTE: Smith says Nebraska, Florida State, Miami, Georgia Tech, Maryland and Ole Miss are also recruiting him hard.