Offensive line recruiting has become the major focus point for the Florida Gators as the season approaches next month.
With only one lineman committed so far the Gators are waiting on other prospects to visit campus. One of those will be offensive lineman Caleb Chandler (6-5, 300, Jefferson, GA. High), who speaks to Florida a lot.
“Things are going really good with Florida right now,” Chandler said. “I talk to them almost everyday. I really just can’t wait to get out to Florida. I’ve heard it’s beautiful up there and it would be honor to be able to play for a team like the Florida Gators.”
Offensive line coach Mike Summers is leading Chandler’s recruitment and speaks with the lineman a lot about the Gators.
“I usually talk to Coach Summers the most from Florida,” he said. “He feels like that I already have the tools to play and he feels like he can work with me even more. He tells me that he wants me to come down for a visit because I can be a key component for them on the offensive line.”
Chandler, who plays guard and tackle in high school, says that Summers hasn’t really given him one position for college yet.
“Coach Summers and me are really close right now,” Chandler said. “I think I would fit in really well with them and he thinks that I can play anywhere on the line. He just tells me that he needs linemen this year.”
The Gators offered Chandler this spring and since then they have been talking to him and one current Florida commit has also been in the lineman’s ear.
“I’ve talked to a lot of the coaches through Twitter and messages,” he said. “They just tell me that they can’t wait for me to get down there. Also some of the players who have committed have been hitting me up. Zachary Carter and I have gotten to know each other really well and he says he can’t wait for me to get down there on a visit.”
Chandler has never visited Gainesville before but that will change this fall when the lineman takes his official visit to Florida.
“I’m taking an official to Florida on October 8th for the LSU game,” Chandler said. “I’m looking to see if I can be comfortable there and if I can get a good education there. I want to see if the team can win and see how the players react to each other.”
The Gators aren’t the only school recruiting Chandler hard as several other SEC and big time schools are after the lineman.
“Florida, Miami, Iowa State, Mississippi State, Louisville and Georgia,” he said. “ A lot of schools are recruiting me hard right now and I’m just trying to decide on all five of my official visits. I have officials set to Florida, Miami and Iowa State so far.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Chandler is an interesting prospect who went under the radar for awhile but after teams were able to see his spring film and summer workouts they have started to offer. Chandler says he would like to decide after his football season is over with.