Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- Spring Practice Observations
- Recruiting Insider: Weekend Visitor Updates
- Recruiting Quick Hitter: Visit helped Florida with quarterback
- Legacy sits through meetings, sees practice during visit
- 3/23/24 Spring Practice Observations
- Anonymous Player Q&A II: Thoughts on the state of Florida football
- Insider tidbits on the offensive line
- Parental Perspective – thoughts on Mullen, Napier, and more
Davie (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna four-star receiver Koby Howard isn’t the type to mince words. Last season, in our weekly Recruit Reacion series, he was brutally honest with his take on how Florida’s season was unfolding.
So, when he goes overboard, offering effusive praise after his ‘Shadow Day’ visit to UF, you know that the reaction is genuine.
The 6-foot, 175-pounder went into great detail as to what his ‘Shadow’ visit entailed.
“Shadow Day was amazing,” said Howard. “I was impressed with everything! Being able to experience the college life of a UF football player for myself really opened my eyes up even more. TJ Abrams was the player I shadowed. He is a really cool player for sure. The players were very welcoming and seemed super excited about being a Gator football player. I got a chance to sit and talk with DJ Lagway, Eugene Wilson, and a few other players to get a feel for how they feel playing for this coaching staff, and they were very excited about the future of the program. They were telling me to enjoy the process and make the best decision for me and not get caught up in all the hype. They also said there’s nothing better than being a Gator football player, and if they had to do it all over again they would still choose UF. Me and TJ were chillin big time! First, we ate breakfast together, then we toured the campus on the scooters for a little! We went to the track to watch the track meet that was a lot of fun too. I went to a few classes with him. I also got some treatment with him, watched film, and watched the offensive unit workout.”
Of course, there was time set aside to speak with the Florida coaches as well.
“I sat down with Coach [Billy] Napier, and Coach Billy G[onzales] individually. I have never seen Coach Napier laugh and smile as much as he did yesterday during our one-on-one. We got to know each other on more of a personal level. I can see why the players love playing for him! His message to me was to continue to work hard on and off the field. Continue to display high character because it is very important in these next few phases in life, that these next few months in my life are about to be amazing, and he hopes that he gets the chance to coach me with the Gators!”
Howard said that his discussions with Gonzales focused more on football.
“Coach Gonzales talked more about the type of player I am, and how he sees me playing on the field, and contributing early just like Eugene [Wilson] did. He feels my game is similar to Eugene’s, but I’m bigger, more physical, and just as explosive. We watched film on ‘Pretty’ Ricky [Pearsall], and he showed me how he helped develop him into the player he is today, but it didn’t happen without Ricky putting in the hard work! He also said with my skill set and work ethic he can help develop me into a high draft pick like some of the former players he coached that are in the league! He said he’s ready to start developing a plan to make me the most exciting playmaker to ever put on a Gator’s uniform! Coach got me so excited that I wish I could skip my last year of high school and play with the Gators this season!”
As you might expect from a teenager, out of everything he saw, one thing really stood out.
“The whole day was the highlight, but if I had to choose one it would be watching the football players pull up to the football complex in their hellcats, and corvettes. Them boys 🐊ballin💯.”
Putting it all together, the No. 336 ranked prospect in the nation according to the On3 Industry Consensus, has a clear-cut leader.
“After this visit, the Gators are at the top for sure!” said Howard. “I’m ready to kick the door down. Right now it’s UF on top followed by FSU, Ole Miss, LSU, and Notre Dame in that order.”
Florida will play host to him one more time this spring and then gets his lead-off official visit.
“I will make it to the spring Orange and Blue game,” said Howard. “I have four official visits set up right now. I still have a couple of unofficial visits to do also.”
His official visit schedule looks like this:
Florida- 5/31-6/02
Pitt – 6/14-16
Ole Miss – 6/ 21-23
FSU – 10/4-6
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