Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- Defensive Commits: Ranked too high, too low, or about right
- Offensive Commits: Ranked too high, too low, or about right
- 10 Most Wanted
- Orange and Blue Insider: A tidbit on an offensive lineman
- Mock Signing Class 1.0
- The Inside Scoop: Florida football players return to face hell
Between playing his high school football at Alief (Tx.) and his freshman season at Los Angeles (Calif.) East Los Angeles College defensive end Quincy Ivory grew three inches and gained 63 pounds.
Then Ivory quickly committed to Florida over Prarie View and Syracuse during his June official visit.
Inside the Gators, got to know Ivory and his journey to becoming part of Gator Nation in this edition of Getting to Know.
Football/Recruiting
Take us through the process that led to your commitment. What was that experience like for you?
“The first person to reach out was Joe Hamilton, he had known about me since high school, and back then, I didn’t know him, but he kept a tab on me. Then the first actual coach to hit me up was Mike Peterson, he came here to see me, and we talked. We set up a visit, and he just made it feel like home on the visit, so that is where I decided I needed to be.”
What was the most appealing part to you about the University of Florida?
“It’s a football town, honestly, and it’s not like all the sports are separated, they all support each other, and I’m a big fan of the school.”
Which school came in second for you and why?
“No school; when I set up the official visit, it was a no-brainer that I wanted to go to the University of Florida.”
What is your favorite football memory?
“I’ve played football since I was four, but my favorite football memory is little league. I was a nose tackle, and on the snap of the ball, I just shot through the gap, took the snap from the quarterback, and took it all the way.”
A year ago you were a junior college quarterback, and now you are committed to an SEC program as a defensive end. Take us through the process of making the switch, and how much more upside do you think you have as a rush end?
“I would say believing in myself. For the first two weeks, I wasn’t even playing, so that was a low point for me. When they asked if I wanted to switch, I kept an open mind, and it worked out for the better.”
What would you say are some of your greatest strengths as a football player?
“My instincts, being a student of the game, and being a quarterback helps me with being a defensive end to see things from a different perspective. It’s a lot less staging and more in acts.”
What do you really need to work on the most when you get to Florida?
“The weight program will help out a lot with getting stronger and bigger. Mike Peterson is a legend at Florida, so just getting tips from him, knowledge from him, and other players. Then definitely in my arsenal rush working on my running game.
Speaking of the weight room, during your official visit, what stood out to you about the new facility?
“Honestly, the whole visit and since we got the official date, I had been looking at Youtube videos, so nothing surprised me. It was mind-blowing how much they are involved in the player’s growth and development.”
Who is the prospect that you have talked to the most from the Class of 2023?
“I spoke with Mannie Nunnery, and I actually went to high school with him.”
Personal
What is your major?
“Kinesiology and Sports Management, and hopefully, I can make it to the NFL, but if not, I would like to go back into coaching because I love football.”
What’s your favorite quality in a teammate?
“That they show worthiness and accountability, we need to trust each other to where I know where you will be, and you know I will be in the right spot. With accountability, don’t let me slack off; and I won’t let you slack off.”
Who are you looking forward to playing alongside? Or getting to know on the team?
“Honestly, everybody, but as I have said, I am a student of the game, so I look forward to working alongside Princely [Umanmielen]. He’s like the top dog there right now and he’s a rusher, so just getting tips from him, and hopefully, we can feed off of each other.”
What is your favorite professional football team?
“The Los Angeles Rams, and honestly, most of my family are Houston Texans fans, but I have been an LA fan since the year they went to the Super Bowl.”
Who is your favorite professional football player right now? Why?
“Aaron Donald, for one, and before I made the switch, it was Cam Newton because the entire time I was quarterback, and I was a big quarterback, and he was more of an idol. Then ever since I got into the defensive side, I have been paying more attention to Aaron Donald, Von Miller, and all those guys.”
Is there a person, sports personality or not, that has had an influence on your life?
“My entire family, but especially my grandmother and mom, have been there countless times when I wasn’t playing, but these two for sure aside from my entire family.”
What would be your first purchase if you got drafted by the NFL?
“I would ensure I have myself a house first and then get a car or a house for my mom.”
Where do you see yourself in five years from now?
“Hopefully happy, financially stable, and just making an impact on other people, not just in football but those around me.”
What are three things on your bucket list?
“Three things right now would be to graduate, make it to the NFL, and hopefully win a National Championship.”
If you had a chance to go on a dream date, who would it be with?
“I would say Latto because she has been my crush forever.”
What is one item that you cannot live without? Why?
“Probably my phone; I’m not on it all the time, but mainly to keep in contact with my family while away from home.”
What are your favorite types of music? Do you have a favorite artist or song?
“My favorite type of music right now is hip pop and r&b. I am between three top artists: Youngboy, Rod Wave, and Lil Baby.”
What is your favorite movie?
“All the Friday or Rush Hour series because I grew up on them, and I can watch them four or five times, and they will still be funny each time.”
What is your favorite TV show?
“My favorite show is Criminal Minds.”
If you could spend an entire day with anyone in history, who would that be?
“I would go with Martin Luther King to dissect his mind and take from him.”
Orange or Blue?
“I would choose Orange.”
Favorite flavor of Gatorade?
“Cool Blue Raspberry.”
What is one thing about you that Gator Nation would be surprised to find out about?
“I like to draw a little bit, less now than I used to, but I like to draw in my free time.”
What’s your message to Gator Nation?
“Those who are with us, I’m glad you are, and those who aren’t, just keep watching.”
Leave a message for your future self.
“Just look how far we have come; keep believing in yourself, keep God, keep those around you close, and that the future is limited.”
We can save that space for a high school player in the next class.
Put him and Waller on opposite ends on 3rd and long and it's a race to see which one gets to the quarterback first.