The Florida Gators offer a South Florida cornerback

The Florida Gators have handed out several offers during the month of June while watching prospects go through the Gators camps.

One of those prospects that picked up a Gators offer was defensive back Brian Edwards (6-3, 195, Fort Lauderdale, FL St. Thomas Aquinas), who camped with Florida in early June.

“Coach Randy Shannon was the coach that offered me the day after camp,” Edwards said. “He was just telling me that he wanted me to come in and make a big impact for Florida and that he loved the way I play. He said that I did good during the camp.”

Edwards holds 23 offers to date but the Gators offer was one that he had long been hoping to receive for several reasons.

“The offer means a lot, because I’ve been waiting on Florida,” Edwards of what the offer means. “Florida has been my dream school since I was little so it means a lot to me. I can’t wait to go back up there and visit them again. I liked watching Vernon Hargreaves play and I’ve got my eye on Quincy Wilson right now.”

Defensive backs coach Torrian Gray has had a history of recruiting tall and long defensive backs that can play all three positions in the back field, and that’s something they see Edwards doing.

“They see me playing both corner and safety but mainly corner,” he said. “They told me that they liked the way I played corner during the 7-on-7 camp. They liked my athletic ability to play both.”

While on campus in June Edwards met Gray for the first time and they had a good conversation about what the Gators like in the south Florida prospect.
“I got to talk to Coach Gray before and after the camp was over,” Edwards said. “Coach Gray sat and watched me play one of my games and he said he was impressed by the way I played corner. He said that last year he only saw me play safety so he didn’t know that I could play corner. He said it was my big impression the way I play corner and he liked how I played.”

Gray not only told Edwards that he was wanted in Gainesville but he also explained how he could play early in Gainesville.

“Quincy and Jalen have a big opportunity to go to league, so they need corners,” he said of the potential of early playing time. “There’s a big opportunity for me to come in and make a big impact on them. I think it’s big that I have the chance to come in and play early in the SEC.”

The Gators coaching staff won’t have to wait long to see Edwards again as the defensive back already has another trip to Gainesville planned.

“I’m coming back up there in early July for a visit,” Edwards said. “Mississippi State, LSU, Florida, Miami, Arkansas and North Carolina are all recruiting me hard right now. After I take all five of my official visits then I’ll make a decision.”

INSIDERS TAKE: Florida and Miami seem to be the two schools sticking out for Edwards right now but he doesn’t seem to be anywhere near a decision.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.