Monday was a big day for a few prospects in Tennessee as the Florida Gators offered multiple scholarships to players from the state.
One of those prospects was Tennessee athlete commit Alontae Taylor (6-0, 180, Manchester, TN. Coffee County Central) who heard the news from his trainer and former Gators receiver.
“I was very surprised to get the offer from Florida,” Taylor said. “I was sitting in class and coach Lorenzo [Spikes] told me to call him and he told me that Florida had just offered me. He said that the Florida coaches told him that they were offering me since they can’t officially call me yet.”
Taylor had just spoken with the Gators the night before and was told that Florida was going to be after him hard soon.
“I called Coach [Drew] Hughes on Sunday night and we talked for a little bit then,” he said. “He followed me on Twitter and when we were on the phone he asked me for my information because he said that they want to show me a lot of love on September 1, when they can officially talk to me.”
When the Gators offered Taylor, they told his trainer that the athlete was a wanted man in Gainesville.
“Florida told Coach Lorenzo that they were very interested in me,” Taylor said. “He said that they told him that like the way I play the game and that wanted me to be a Gator so they were offering me a scholarship.”
Despite being committed to Tennessee, this offer is one that caught Taylor’s attention and is one he’s happy to get.
“It means a lot to get the offer from Florida because it’s an SEC school,” he said of the Florida offer. “I went down there during the summer of 2015 and had a good time. Me and coach [Jim] McElwain talked a little bit and we met for the first time then. I remember Coach McElwain telling me that I was a really good athlete.”
Taylor was has been on the Gators campus before but he wants to get back so that he can learn more about Florida’s program.
“I just want to meet the coaches again and see what they have to say about me,” Taylor said of what he wants to see on his next Florida visit. “I want to see where they see me playing since they offered me as an athlete.
Florida’s offer is something that Taylor is looking at, but he remains loyal to the Volunteers at this time.
“I’m committed to Tennessee and I’m solid commit to them,” he said of his commitment. “I’m still open to other schools and I’m listening to what they have to say. I’m open minded and willing to listen to other schools.”
The Tennessee commit is already working on setting up a trip to Gainesville this fall where he hopes to see a great game.
“Coach Hughes said that they really want to get me on campus this fall for a game,” Taylor said. “I told Coach Lorenzo that and I think we’re going to try and get down there for the LSU game with another one of his players Trey Knox.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Taylor seemed to be very interested in Florida and, despite his commitment to Tennessee, seemed like he was still looking at other schools. Taylor is an impressive athlete that could play receiver, defensive back and being a return guy.