McElwain, Gators land giant JUCO OL
Florida moved to shore up its offensive line in 2016 by securing a commitment from a large JUCO offensive tackle as part of the 2016 class.
A 6-foot-4, 320-pound offensive tackle named Branton Autry became the 12th commitment for the Gators on Wednesday, according to 247Sports.
Autry, a December graduate from Coffeyville Community College, hasn’t visited the campus in Gainesville, but decided to commit to Florida based on the team’s need at offensive line.
“I think it’s going to be the right place for me. I feel like I go in and play right away. That’s the number one thing on my mind,” Autry said, according to 247Sports.
#ChompChomp!!!!!!!!! #16ators
— Jim McElwain (@CoachMcElwain) May 27, 2015
Autry is a large body with college experience. He becomes the second offensive tackle of the ’16 class to pledge to Florida along with three-star Stone Forsythe. Autry is not rated in the 247Sports database as some fans continue to question coach Jim McElwain’s targets, some of whom are below the radar in terms of national recruiting rankings.
Florida’s 12 current commitments rank third in the SEC behind Kentucky and Ole Miss. But based on the average rating of those recruits, the Gators are 12th in the SEC.
#Gators get an important commit from JUCO OL Brandon Autry. UF now has 12 commits, 2 of which are in the #ESPN300
— Derek Tyson (@DerekJTyson) May 27, 2015