The tight end position is one of the positions that has struggled the most for the Florida Gators the last few years and that has led the staff to look for several prospects in this year’s class.
With one already committed, the Gators offered tight end John Fitzpatrick (6-6, 230, Atlanta, GA. Marist School) after visiting his school on Thursday.
“They offered me as a tight end today [Thursday],” Fitzpatrick said of Florida. “Coach [Greg] Nord came by my school and then later I talked to Coach [Chris] Rumph and he explained that they were really excited about me and wanted to offer me.”
Defensive line coach Chris Rumph has been the main recruiter for Fitzpatrick and he explained what the Gators liked about him on Thursday after he offered the tight end.
“He was explaining how they would use me at the position if I come there,” he said of Rumph’s message. “He was saying that I would be split out to catch passes but also lined up to block too.”
Tight ends coach Greg Nord also spoke to Fitzpatrick on Thursday afternoon and expressed a need for the tight end to visit soon.
“He was just saying that he wants me to visit Gainesville soon,” Fitzpatrick said of Nord’s message. “He said that liked how I caught the ball and that they needed people at my position this year.”
Florida’s offer made 41 offers for Fitzpatrick already but he says the Gators have two things that he likes in a college.
“I have a lot of interest because they are both a high academic and a great football school,” he said of Florida. “I’m planning on visiting them this summer.”
The Gators have a lot of competition for Fitzpatrick including two SEC schools as he wants to make a decision in the near future.
“UCLA, Georgia, Alabama, and Virginia,” Fitzpatrick said of other school’s recruiting him hard. “I don’t have a leader but I want to decide this summer sometime.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Fitzpatrick says he doesn’t have any visits planned for this summer but he does know that he wants to visit Florida. Fitzpatrick is a long athletic tight end that would fit what Florida is looking for.