DT Kelby Collins Talks Florida Gators Official Visit: ‘They Definitely Moved Up’

Picture: Kelby Collins; Credit score: Zach Goodall

Gardendale (Ala) defensive sort out Kelby Collins loved his official go to with the Florida Gators this weekend.

Through the go to, Collins met with this system’s teaching workers and toured the campus for the primary time below its new regime led by head coach Billy Napier. Collins unofficially visited this system final 12 months whereas then-head coach Dan Mullen was nonetheless in cost.

Now, there was a newness surrounding this system, one thing that’s intriguing to Collins as he will get recruited by a few Florida’s prime defensive coaches: line of defense coach/co-defensive coordinator Sean Spencer and safeties coach/co-defensive coordinator Patrick Toney.

“You possibly can undoubtedly inform a distinction,” Collins instructed reporters on Sunday shortly following his go to when requested concerning the new teaching workers in comparison with the previous one.

“I really feel like this workers has much more power. Everyone’s quite a bit nearer, particularly hanging out with a few of the gamers. I really feel like all people’s like a brotherhood. With folks like [assistant AD of recruiting strategy] Katie [Turner], she actually lit up the expertise, bringing her power. So I really feel like they’ve an incredible workers.”

A part of the enchantment of Florida’s new workers comes not solely from the power they bring about each on and off the gridiron but additionally in how the workers has grown in expertise by way of their collegiate historical past and even within the execs.

That is actually the case for a coach like Spencer, who has coached each the New York Giants and was a longtime coach at Penn State earlier than heading right down to Gainesville.

Collins, 6-foot-5, 280 kilos, spent loads of time with “coach Chaos” throughout his go to, as this system seems to be to make use of the younger DL as a 4 or 5 method inside their scheme.

“I realized lots of new stuff. He confirmed me a few strikes, confirmed me a few guys he labored with like [former Penn State, current Dallas Cowboys LB] Micah Parsons,” Collins mentioned of Spencer.

“I really feel like that caught out; that he skilled a few of the finest, recruited a few of the finest. Received them to the league and developed them within the league as properly. So, I really feel like he has a plan for me.”

Previous to visiting Florida, Collins already had this system excessive on his radar, putting them throughout the prime 5 so far as packages he is contemplating committing to. Together with Florida, Collins is contemplating Oklahoma, South Carolina, Georgia and his hometown workforce, Alabama. 

Although he isn’t from the realm, Collins was in a position to join with a number of Florida gamers that hail from his hometown, together with linebackers Jeremiah ‘Scooby’ Williams and Chief Borders. Williams was Collins’ host for the go to, the participant that was assigned to him, exhibiting him round campus and the residing quarters that Florida gives to its soccer athletes.

That made the go to extra comfy and the concept of becoming a member of the Gators extra intriguing for Collins.

“He made me really feel comfy too, simply he is bringing his power and simply hanging out with them, it made me comfy right here,” Collins mentioned.

With this official go to now over, Collins did point out that it helped him be ok with doubtlessly heading to the college. Given this system’s closeness, power and wish to obtain the identical aim – bringing Florida again to the place it as soon as was -, it is sensible.

“I really feel like they undoubtedly moved up some,” he mentioned. “I am simply ready to see [how] all people else performs out.”

Collins at the moment has a few extra official visits lined up, together with to South Carolina on June tenth and Georgia on June twenty fourth. Although there isn’t a timeline set for a choice to be made as of but, Collins did point out that the choice might come simply previous to his senior season starting this fall. 

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