FLORIDA FOOTBALL & RECRUITING COVERAGE |
In this day and age where it seems as though every little event didn’t actually happen unless it was publicized through social media, Marietta (Ga.) safety Rashad Torrence II is different.
He is one of the less outspoken commits in Florida’s 2020 class. Unlike other recruits who keep the process shrouded in mystery through cryptic tweets and multiple visits, Torrence doesn’t feel the need to make a show of his recruiting process simply because he knows where he’ll be spending the next 3-4 years.
“My commitment to UF is solid,” he told Inside the Gators.
The rising senior, who boasts over a 3.9 GPA in high school, is impressed by the diversity of services the University of Florida has to offer him.
He knows when he gets to campus, it’s not going to be all about football.
“The school has a lot to offer on and off the field,” he said. “[The school and the team] are currently ranked in the top 10 in both academics and football.”
However, surface-level rankings are not the only reason the 6-foot, 193-pounder has remained all in with Gator Nation since his commitment in December. The perseverance of the staff through a difficult time showed him a family-like atmosphere, as well as a commitment to Rashad Torrence the person instead of just Rashad Torrence the safety.
“I had an eligibility situation that prevented me from playing last year,” he admitted to ITG. “Luckily I received a lot of offers before my junior season. So after that happened my parents and I decided to only show interest in schools that continued to show interest in me. UF never changed up on me.”
Though he has been committed for more than six months, the safety continually makes it to Gainesville for most of the staff’s recruiting pitches. He most recently made the trek to play in one of Florida’s scheduled camps. When asked why a commit from a different state feels the need to be on campus so often, Torrence had an answer ready.
“Coming to campus often helps me build strong relationships with the coaches as well as current and committed players. It'll make my transition easier.”
So far, he’s been able to make good on that by strengthening his relationships with both his primary and secondary recruiters…
“I talk to [Safeties] Coach [Ron] English and [Linebackers] Coach [Christian] Robinson several times a week.”
And some of his future teammates.
“I have a good relationship with Trey Dean. We played on the same 7v7 team a couple years ago,” Torrence revealed about the fellow Peach Stater who plays in the Gators’ secondary. “I also talk to some of the current commits such as Jaquavion Fraziers and Leonard Manuel every now and then.”
Torrence seems to be shifting his focus on gearing up to get back on the field for his senior season instead of playing a game of cat and mouse across college football. He told ITG he has no other visits planned.
“Right now I'm just spending the majority of my time working out and perfecting my craft.”