A number of top underclassmen prospects have made their way to Gainesville this spring to watch the Florida Gators practice and many of those guys have instate prospects.
2021 defensive tackle Desmond Watson (6-5, 315, Seffner, FL. Armwood) was on campus last week to watch practice and meet the coaching staff.
“It went really good,” Watson said of his visit to Florida last week. “I got to try on the uniform and take pictures and then I got to go into a meeting with the players and watch practices.”
While on campus, Watson got to meet several of Florida’s coaches including new defensive line coach David Turner.
“I talked to the defensive line coach, Coach [David] Turner, Coach [Larry] Scott and Coach [Dan] Mullen,” he said on the coaches he spoke too. “I went to the defensive line meetings with Coach Turner.”
Watson was glad to go into the defensive line meeting with Turner and he likes the new Gators defensive line coach.
“It was a quick meeting all they did was go over some plays and the practice schedule,” Watson of the defensive line meeting. “Overall it was good but Coach Turner is a fun dude but he makes sure he gets his point across.”
Turner has been recruiting Watson for the last few months and has had regular conversations with the defensive lineman.
“We didn’t really talk too much because he had to coach practice,” he said of his talks with Coach Turner. “We usually just have regular conversations but how my day is going and what’s going on in life. He wants me to visit again soon.”
Watson has talked to Turner and the Gators coaching staff about how he would fit into Florida’s defense if he chooses the Gators.
“He says he likes me at defensive tackle, three technique and one technique,” Watson said on where Turner sees him playing. “He likes how I use my hands and leverage and how I utilize my size and power.”
The Gators have had a lot of success with Armwood prospects in the past and Watson early on has a lot of interest in Florida.
“I really like Florida,” he said of his interest in Florida. “I just like the type of swag Florida has.”
With 19 offers to date, Watson isn’t ready to name any leaders yet but he’s in the process of seeing as many school as possible to narrow it down.
“No leaders as of right now,” Watson said. “I need to see more schools to narrow anything down.”