College football’s regular season is over a third of the way through but that does not mean that [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and his army of staffers have diverted their attention from the recruiting trail. On the contrary, unlike his predecessor [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag], Florida’s new staff continues to grind away as the schedule continues to unfurl.
On Saturday night, despite their game with the Eastern Washington Eagles being delayed by Hurricane Ian, Napier and Co. extended a scholarship offer to Coffeville C.C. (Kansas) offensive lineman [autotag]Keyshawn Blackstock[/autotag], who is highly sought by many top programs.
“I have been talking to Florida for about a month now,” he told Swamp247. “The only thing they have been waiting on me is getting my measurements from my coach. We got those to them a few days ago. They called me a bit ago after my game, maybe 30 minutes ago, and they offered me on the phone. They said my film wasn’t a problem at all, but they just wanted my measurements. That was the biggest thing they were waiting on.”
However, Blackstock has only had limited face time with the new staff.
“I haven’t really been down there, but I’ve watched their offense. I like how their offense plays,” Blackstock told Gators Online. “They also have a hell of a defensive line. You just have to have a dog mentality along the offensive line and all the guys have to be on the same page. You can have a hell of a team like that.”
The 6-foot-5-inch, 315-pound lineman had also been pursued by the Tennessee Volunteers, Oregon Ducks, Auburn Tigers, Michigan State Spartans and Penn State Nittany Lions, among others. However, it appears that Florida’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach [autotag]Rob Sale[/autotag], who is the main point of contact during his recruitment, is pushing all of the right buttons with the JUCO standout.
“I have been talking to him for about a while now,” he told 247Sports of Sale. “Coach [Billy] Napier actually offered me on Twitter today [Satutday] too. He is a straightforward guy honestly. He is going to keep things honest. He told me if I come there I just have to come in and work and that nothing would be given to me. He told me they have a senior tackle and a junior tackle. I told him I can play anywhere on the field up front and can do whatever to help make the team successful. It doesn’t matter if it’s guard, center, or tackle I will play whatever.”
The Georgia native still has all of his official visits remaining and intends to use them before making his final decision, including a trip to Gainesville. But in the meantime, he remains focused on his current team’s campaign.
“I haven’t really focused on offers right now,” he told Swamp247. “More about the season I have now and my teammates now. I tell every coach that I am 100% open and that I am open to anyone who wants to recruit me. I just don’t know where I want to visit. I haven’t really thought about it, but I want to make a top 10 and then a top 5 whenever that occurs, but I want to finish my season strong.”
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