Defensive end Jachai Polite (6-4, 230, Daytona Beach, FL Mainland) was one of the many prospects in the south end zone on Saturday to watch the Florida Gators thrilling victory over the Tennessee Volunteers.
Polite, who made his first visit to Florida since picking up an offer in July, said he liked the way the team battled through the whole game.
“It was great,” Polite said of the game. “The atmosphere was very energizing, I loved it. It was just a great game to be at and see in person. I loved the fight they had; they never got down on themselves. It’s a good family atmosphere out here.
On Friday the Florida Gators sent receivers coach Kerry Dixon to watch Polite in person in his game and the defensive end was glad to see the orange and blue on the sidelines.
“It meant a lot for them to come down and see me,” he said of Dixon visiting him on Friday night. “It shows that they actually care about how I’m performing on the field and not just watching my highlight. Even though I’m sure they can see my mistakes on film it’s still nice for them to come see me.”
Dixon and Florida Gators defensive line coach Chris Rumph have both given Polite some things to work on after watching him this season.
“They say they like the way I move fluidly on the field,” Polite said. “They want me to work on my hands and my hips a little bit. That is what the coaches are talking to me about the most.”
Florida was late offering Polite but the defensive end says that he’s starting to get comfortable around the Florida Gators program including with a big time defensive lineman on campus now.
“I love it, I’m starting build a relationship with the coaches,” he said of his feeling on Florida. “I’m starting to build a relationship with Jonathan Bullard and it’s great. When I came to the day camp, I was with him all day and he was teaching me stuff so we built off of that.”
Not only is Polite getting comfortable with the coaches off the field but on the field he’s comfortable with the way Rumph coaches his position.
“I just like the way Coach Rumph coaches, it’s a different way he coaches,” Polite said. “I really can’t explain it but he just gets his message to me in an easier way than others do.”
There is no doubt that the Florida Gators are playing catch up right now, but the Gators will have several chances to sway the defensive end to Florida.
“My relationship has gotten better with Florida but Miami is still my leader,” he said. “I’m trying to get to a Miami game soon but I will probably come back up for the Ole Miss game next weekend. I’m going to take officials to Miami and Florida.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Florida has made a big impression on Polite as of late and they are trending up for the Daytona prospect. The more times Polite comes to Florida’s campus then the better shot the Florida Gators have.