The Florida Gators got some much needed good news on Tuesday morning when they picked up an instate commitment.
Offensive lineman Adrein Strickland (6-6, 330, Lynn Haven, FL. A. Crawford Mosley) committed to Florida after talking with his family and friends.
“I was talking to my mom about the offer over the weekend after I got the offer and then I was talking to some of my teammates and they helped me solidify what I was thinking,” Strickland said on why he committed to Florida. “I was thinking this is my dream school so what’s the point in thinking about it.”
Strickland told offensive line coach John Hevesy the news on Monday and the two shared the excitement of the big news.
“I talked to Coach Hevesy yesterday [Monday] about it, he was definitely excited,” he said on Hevesy’s reaction to his commitment. “I could tell he was excited, we were both sharing the excitement and we’re both going off of each other. It was a great experience.”
Hevesy has talked to Strickland about why the Gators like his game and where he will play at once he arrives in Gainesville.
“He has talked to me mostly about tackle, I think we’ve talked about guard once but mostly tackle,” Strickland said on where Hevesy sees him playing. “He likes my effort that I put into the game, he likes my God given size and talent that I already have.”
After picking up the offer from Florida a week ago, Strickland started thinking about the moments he had in the Swamp last year and that helped pushed the Gators up in his recruitment.
“Whenever I sat down with my mom, we went to the Auburn game and another game last year and she said to think about the feeling that I had in the Swamp and how it made me feel,” he said on what all he likes about Florida. “I thought about it, that vibe, the attitude and the mindset they have going on is a team that I want to be on.
Now that Strickland has committed, he can’t wait to get back down to campus to see the campus again.
“I’m locked in, I don’t think there’s nothing that’s going to change what I think about the school,” Strickland said. “They were my favorite school and there’s no reason for me to change it. I want to get back down there as soon as I can. I love the feeling I get there.”