Over the weekend the Florida Gators added three players to class of 2017 including two defensive backs.
Defensive back Brad Stewart (6-0, 194, New Orleans, LA. McDonogh 35) was one of those commits and he didn’t expect to leave his official visit this weekend as a commit but it just happened he says.
“It was meant to be, what can I say,” Stewart on why he committed this weekend to Florida. “I knew I was going commit there but I didn’t know I was going to commit then. I had planned on taking it to signing day but the time was right. So I did it.”
Stewart announced his commitment in front of all the visitors, their families and the coaching staff and the defensive back says the feeling was a good one.
“It felt good, the time was right and the moment felt good,” he said on the moment he committed. “I just committed and everybody reacted good and was excited. They were surprised really and that was a long time coming. It took long enough for me.”
The defensive back from Louisiana had his choice of which he would attend but eh says one thing-separated Florida from the others.
“Really it was the consistency in me communicating with the coaches,” Stewart said on why it was Florida. “They’ve been on me hard since my 10th grade and I knew that it where I supposed to be at.”
Running backs coach Tim Skipper played a huge role in landing Stewart for the Gators and the defensive back says one thing stood out about the Gators coach.
“Me and Coach Skip have a good relationship with him being from Louisiana,” he said. “It was a nice bond we built and really once a player has a connection with a coach it plays a big part in things. So yeah it’s a good relationship.”
Another reason Stewart says he committed to Florida was because of the defensive back tradition and he says it helps guys play harder.
“I think Florida being DBU is something big to have,” Stewart said. “Every defensive back committed to Florida or going to be committing there are going to work a little bit harder to keep it going. I think we can keep it going.”
Every time Stewart visited Florida, the defensive back said he was welcomed with open arms and that played a big part in his commitment to the Gators.
“The family feel was big and everyone on the staff walks around with a swagger about them,” he said on the feeling he had at Florida. “Really they take care of their players and have a bond with them. That played a big part for me and just felt like home to me.”
Defensive backs coach Torrian Gray also explained to Stewart that playing early at Florida was very possible.
“Coach Gray tells me that nothing is promised but if I come in and do what I got to do then I should be fine,” Stewart said of Gray’s message. “With the corners they have leaving right now, it’s a perfect opportunity for me to walk in and play as a true freshman if I work hard. I’m going to start out at corner.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Stewart is guy that very likely sees the field next year and is a guy that can play all of the defensive positions. This is a really good pickup for Florida.