It was quite the night for Florida Gators football 2016 recruit Nick Eubanks (6’6”, 208, American Heritage) as the tight end helped his team to a win over IMG Academy, which literally came down to the last second.
Eubanks was used for the first time in an end game situation on defense in which the IMG Ascenders were attempting a Hail Mary to tie. Eubanks intercepted the pass in his own endzone and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown to end the game, giving American Heritage the 19-7 win.
But that was only one play in a night of many. In a game during which IMG’s Isaac Nauta was slated to be the premier tight end, Eubanks shined.
The senior says he’s been working on many aspects of his game as college’s start to take a closer look at his possibilities.
“My blocking ability has gotten way better than what it was last year,” Eubanks tells GatorCountry.com.
“I’m starting to get more confidence catching the ball and getting up the field.”
If these attributes will be on display for the Florida Gators in the coming seasons is yet to be seen as Eubanks would like to assess the also yet to be seen offense from head coach Jim McElwain.
Specifically though, he has some things he’d like to see from the tight ends in Mac’s system.
“What I want to see is both ways too; hand in the dirt and outside.”
As for the message from Florida, Eubanks says Head Coach Jim McElwain and tight ends coach Greg Nord like what they’re seeing from him and letting it be known.
“The head coach loves me, and tight end coach as well. They believe I can make it big, like a big play maker in that sort of team.”
The Gators will be getting an official visit from Eubanks, as well Alabama, LSU, Oregon and Ole Miss.
His older brother, Kobie, was set to attend the University of Alabama for basketball but just recently found out he would not be cleared by the NCAA and Nick admits that “sort of, kind of” makes a slight difference in his thinking towards committing to the Crimson Tide but overall won’t change his final decision.
If the Florida Gators are part of that final decision though, McElwain and fans will be getting a tight end that has already shown he can make quite the exciting night for himself.
Watch below for our full interview with Nick Eubanks along with a few highlights from his game.