LAWRENCEVILLE, GA.- The Florida Gators are looking for that alpha male to lead the 2018 class and that person is often the quarterback, which the Gators are still looking for in this year’s class.
Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier and head coach Jim McElwain have offered several quarterbacks so far but most of them are committed to other schools which means the Gators are going for the flip and they have a chance with a few of those guys.
One of those guys that Florida is after is Kentucky quarterback commit Jarren Williams (6-3, 205, Lawrenceville, GA. Central Gwinnett) who took a visit to Gainesville this spring.
On Wednesday GatorCountry.com visited with Williams and he recapped that trip to Gainesville with us.
“It was a good visit,” Williams said. “I got to spend a lot of time with coach Nuss and went around the campus and talked to coach Mac a lot so it was a good visit. Got to listen to what they had to say and just take it all in.”
Heading into that spring visit to Gainesville, Williams didn’t have a Florida offer but that quickly changed when he was meeting with the Gators coaching staff.
“I wasn’t sure,” he said on if he expected the offer before he visited. “I just know that coach Nuss was saying that he wants to build a relationship. So when I came down there we were hanging out, talking and getting on the board. We went into coach Mac’s office, we talked and coach Mac told me that I have an offer.”
Williams has met Nussmeier several times in the past and the Kentucky commit has nothing but good things to say about the offensive coordinator.
“He’s a really genuine person. He’s a great coach,” Williams said of Doug Nussmeier. “The way he teaches his offense he makes it simple and I definitely like what he does.”
While meeting with Williams, Nussmeier explained that the Gators are looking for a specific kind of quarterback and he fits that mole they want.
“Yeah. That’s one thing he said why he likes me so much,” he said on if Florida wants a dual-threat guy at quarterback. “I can do both. I’m not just a dual threat. I’m not just a pocket passer. I’m a pass first guy but I can extend plays with my feet and he was saying that’s the kind of guy they are looking for right now.”
Williams also got the chance to visit with McElwain during his time on campus but it was more of a laid back meeting.
“He was getting to know me better and no rush. Take your time,” Williams said of his talks with Jim McElwain. “He wants me come back up and get on board with him and maybe do a camp.”
Quarterbacks around the country notice that Florida is still looking for someone to take charge of the quarterback position in Gainesville but Williams doesn’t necessarily see think that’s just at Florida.
“There’s a competition really anywhere so,” he said on if Florida was appealing because of the lack of a true quarterback at Florida. “
Since committing to Kentucky last summer, Williams has picked up big offer after big offer but he’s still locked in with the Wildcats at this time.
“I wouldn’t say looking but listening though,” he said on his commitment status. “Nothing planned yet but I plan to make some visits.”
One of the things that Mark Stoops and Kentucky has going for them is that Williams felt the loyalty from the Wildcats earlier than most schools.
“They were one of the first ones to really take me in and offer me,” Williams said on why he committed to Kentucky. “We just built a really strong relationship from the beginning and we just connected.”
Despite being a solid commit to Kentucky, Williams admits that he wants to make a 100 percent final decision before his senior year.
“I don’t really know. I want to do it before the season,” he said on when he wants everything finished by. “I’m early enrolling in school.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Alabama and several other big time programs have recently offered Williams and have gotten attention. Williams speaks very highly of Doug Nussmeier and Florida, I expect him to return for another visit to talk with him and McElwain.