2015 Ridgeville (S.C.) Woodland defensive end Michael Barnett visited Florida in June and picked up a Gator offer. The highly sought after defensive end was back in Gainesville for Friday Night Lights.
“It was pretty fun to be out there competing,” Barnett said. “I did pretty good, but I still have a lot to work on to get where I want to be as a player.”
During the camp, the 6-foot-6, 239-pound Barnett had the chance to work one on one with defensive line coach Brad Lawing.
“It was pretty good working with Coach Lawing,” Barnett said. “I learned I need to get quicker with my hands, get quicker off of the ball, and learn to stand up and rush, instead of just the three-point stance that I’m use too.”
This being Barnett’s second time on campus he is getting more comfortable with the coaches and says he feels like family in Gainesville.
“I just really like it down there,” Barnett said. “It’s pretty cool, I like the atmosphere and how everyone treats you down there. It’s a family atmosphere down there and everyone knows who I am. I could see myself going down there and playing.”
Barnett was able to sit down with Will Muschamp and Brad Lawing after the camp and they told him how badly they wanted him to come to Florida.
“They told me they really want me,” Barnett said. “They really want me to be a Gator and stuff like that. I told them I still have a lot of stuff to work on but they said that I’m going to get bigger and taller, since I just turned 16. So, they just said not to worry too much about that.”
Right now the Gators are recruiting Barnett to play defensive end but depending on how his body responds, he may move to defensive tackle.
The 2015 prospect says he doesn’t have a leader yet, but that two teams are really talking to him more than others.
“I don’t have a leader right now but I’m really considering Florida,” Barnett said. “I talk to Florida and Virginia Tech the most and I talk to North Carolina State some.”
Barnett said he will visit Florida for the Tennessee and Florida State games this fall, and will also be in attendance at the Clemson-Georgia game.