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Updating Jim McElwain’s first week on the recruiting trail
By Drew Laing
Published:
If you watched Jim McElwain’s introductory press conference last Saturday, you knew one thing — he was excited to get on the recruiting trail as Florida’s new head coach.
“I recruited Florida when I was at the University of Louisville, when I was at Michigan State, recruited Florida obviously for the University of Alabama,” McElwain said. “What I’m excited about most of anything is rekindling the relationships … getting back involved with the players that we had an effect on their lives. That’s what it’s all about.”
McElwain wasted no time in building the Gators’ 2015 recruiting class and was out on the road Monday morning.
Here’s the latest.
Securing his own
Florida has a very small, underwhelming recruiting class right now for a number of reasons. The constant coaching rumors and mediocre season didn’t help, either.
McElwain started off recruiting by speaking to the current Gator commits, including four-star athlete Derrick Dillon (UF’s current highest-rated commit).
Had a good visit with coach Mac today ✊??
— D4 (@DerrickDillon4) December 8, 2014
Three-star OL commit Mike Horton
Great talk with Coach. First impressions mean everything. — Mike Horton7⃣9⃣ (@big_mike247) December 8, 2014
Four-star OL commit Brandon Sandifer
Just got off the phone with Coach McElwain. He is a great guy and I can’t wait to get things started with him in the Swamp. #GatorNation ?
— Heavy Chocolate (@_bsandifer) December 8, 2014
Three-star WR commit Kalif Jackson
Great talking with Coach Mac ? #Florida15 — Shmurda (@Jackson_Kalif84) December 8, 2014
Three-star OL commit Tommy Jordan
#GatorNation let’s do this!! #Gators@CoachMcElwainpic.twitter.com/9z3VY6dSPH
— Tyler Jordan#71 (@tyjordan58) December 7, 2014
Top prospects a priority
Although Florida’s recruiting class is nothing special compared to many other SEC schools, the Gators are still in on several highly rated prospects.
One of the biggest prospects remaining is five-star defensive end CeCe Jefferson. Florida is one of the strongest favorites to sign him in February and the defensive playmaker was curious about the new coach, so he asked current UF commit Tommy Jordan how things went with McElwain.
@cecejeferson7 love him man. Great coach. Good fit for you????
— Tyler Jordan#71 (@tyjordan58) December 8, 2014
McElwain also didn’t hesitate to contact Jefferson himself.
???? pic.twitter.com/6xmQbaQBlx
— CeCe Jefferson (@cecejeferson7) December 10, 2014
According to Zach Abolverdi of the Gainesville Sun, McElwain also took time to visit five-star offensive lineman Martez Ivey. Ivey, who is considered by some recruiting services as the top overall prospect, is seriously considering the Gators and Florida expects to be in it all the way until the end.
McElwain also visited five-star defensive end Byron Cowart and other prospects this week, some who are committed to other schools.
Florida head coach Jim McElwain is set to visit Byron Cowart, Ray Ray McCloud and Auden Tate today. #Gators
— Derek Tyson (@DerekTysonESPN) December 9, 2014
#Florida HC Jim McElwain called #ESPN 4-star OT & #TarHeel commit William Sweet. Sweet used all 5 OV’s, so a visit would be unofficial
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) December 9, 2014
In-home visits were also a priority for McElwain, who stopped by the house of three-star TE prospect Daniel Imatorbhebhe in Georgia.
Daniel Imatorbhebhe (2015 TE) & Josh Imatorbhebhe (2016 WR) had an in-home visit with Mac & T-Rob tonight. #Gators pic.twitter.com/RI8MTlL2BJ
— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) December 10, 2014
Daniel Imatorbhehe on McElwain's offense: "It's predicated on adjusting every week to what the defense is doing & attacking their weak spot"
— Zach Abolverdi (@ZachAbolverdi) December 10, 2014
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
