Monday marked the first day that the Florida Gators coaching staff was on the road recruiting at high schools as well as doing in-home visits. Despite the Gators not having a head coach, the number of prospects the Gators visited was simply incredible.
One prospect that receivers coach Chris Leak visited was receiver Ryan Davis (5-10, 161, St. Petersburg, Lakewood) and according to Davis the visit went very well.
“Coach Leak came by my school this morning which was great,” Davis said. “He was just telling me that I’m a huge priority for him and that they need slot receivers that are dynamic playmakers like myself. He said that they are going to come on a home visit next week and that as soon as the new head coach gets settle in that they will be coming back for another in-home visit then.”
The big question that a lot of prospects have is whether or not the assistant coaches will be returning and Leak addressed that question with the Lakewood receiver.
“Coach Leak said that he wants to stay at Florida and I think he feels like he will still be there,” Davis said. “Whether or not he’s the receiver coach or not I think he’s staying at Florida.”
Davis is very much in favor of Florida keeping Leak as the two have built quite the relationship this fall.
“Coach Leak is a cool guy and he’s honest with me and that’s what I like about him,” Davis said. “We have a great relationship not just because of football because we can talk about stuff outside of the game as well. Me and him just get along so well and he’s close with my family too.”
Heading into the 2015 recruiting cycle it seemed like Florida State was the team to beat for Davis but the Florida Gators have risen on his board and he says that’s still the case despite the Gators not having a head coach.
“It will be interesting to see who the new coach is but I’m not paying that much attention to it,” Davis said. “I’m interested in Florida regardless of who they hire but I need to make sure that the new coach wants me and isn’t just taking me to honor my scholarship or something like that.”
One big reason that Davis is interested in Florida is because of the lack of depth at the receiver position.
“I know that Florida has a lot of playing time available for receivers in the offense,” Davis said. “I know if I go there and handle my business then I can get on the field early there.”
Davis has already taken an official to Maryland and he plans to use the rest of his visits after the new year.
“I’m going to take my officials in January,” Davis said. “I’m not sure where all I’m going to but I do plan to take one to Florida.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Davis has grown to like Florida and quarterback Treon Harris this year. I believe that if the new coach recruits him hard then Florida has a great shot at landing Ryan Davis.
Now we’re getting to the most important phase of football outside of practice and the game. I know in the world of business, I would always want to walk into a situation that needs improvement. That’s how you make a name for yourself. Back in the mid 70’s, I remember going to the Red Lion, talking with Mr. Foley and even back them he would say “hard work and dedication will always win out in the long run” Not kicking FSU, but coming from behind most of the time is not the mark of a well disciplined team. Champ did a more than OUTSTANDING job in that aspect. You’ve got to be great off the field too. If Davis thinks he can handle his world off the field, he’d be crazy not come here.