McElwain evaluates notable 2016 class early enrollees, latest signees
During Florida head coach Jim McElwain’s post-National Signing Day press conference Wednesday afternoon, he gave his thoughts of a handful of the Gators’ early enrollees and signees from the 2016 class.
Here’s what McElwain had to say about each of them during his 22 minutes speaking with reporters.
On four-star wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland: “I think, he’s a guy that came by this summer. He’s had a lot of interest in the Gators, right there in Duval County before he moved to Texas. So, he’s not necessarily stuck in the Texas part of it. For him, it’s a little bit of a homecoming. Here’s a guy who grew up wanting to be a Gator, playing in The Swamp, back with a bunch of guys he actually grew up playing with. I’m really happy he’s back in this part of the country. ... That’s one of the things I think when you look at how we recruit, everybody is involved heavily. Obviously Kerry (Dixon) had a lot to do with that being the position coach there, but when he was here it was a little piece of everybody. I think he felt it.”
On four-star quarterback Feleipe Franks: “We’re excited about him and Kyle (Trask). They’re in here with that class as freshmen. Here’s the great thing at that position: You’re getting an opportunity through these workouts right now to really kind of build and see the leadership piece of it as to how they go about their daily work. I know this, we’re going to be able to complete some routes on air because he can throw it now.”
On Purdue graduate transfer quarterback Austin Appleby: “Austin’s a guy that obviously can show up as one of our graduate transfers. Here’s a guy that brings experience. The guy started at a high level, and a guy that understands what it is to prepare as a starting quarterback. That’s something that’s lost sometimes. Those guys in the meeting room that can kind of translate with those younger guys and everybody, build competition, but also teach how you go about your business. I’ve been really excited to kind of hear what he’s been doing. Having an older guy in there is pretty good.”
On three-star JUCO kicker signee Eddy Pineiro and if he's recruited any kicker as hard in the past: “No. Absolutely not. Never have. I never have until I saw two go down with ACLs. What a character. I think we got a chance to maybe put one through the uprights. ... It was pretty cool (visiting Pineiro in-home). He actually did the translation too for me, so at least I knew what I was eating. I’ll tell you this, it was good. His grandma can really cook.”
On five-star defensive end Antonneous Clayton: “Guy can get off the football and make plays. There’s a case of a guy we got on early, just a credit to his family and the people around him that he stayed with us. This is a guy Gator fans should be really proud of.”
On four-star JUCO running back Mark Thompson: “I think the first thing that comes to mind is size, and when you watch the film his ability to finish. He was just up in the office today with a couple of guys that came by my office to see how we’re doing. He said he was 239 today and didn’t look 210. You know what I’m getting at. I’m excited to see him going forward. He’s doing a great job with Coach Kent. You throw in there Lamical Perine with Krite and Jordan (Scarlett) already, that’s a pretty good backfield. We’re really excited about it.”
On three-star linebackers Vosean Joseph, Jeremiah Moon and David Reese: “Well, you look at the young guys, obviously we’ve got one in here already in David, and you take a look at those young guys that will be in here taking snaps right away. As I kind of explained to them, we’ve got some quality in those spots but the lines aren’t very long. It’s like when you go to Disney Land and get one of the Fast Passes and you get to go on a ride right away. These guys are going to come and get on a ride right away. They’ll have a chance to get better in a hurry.”
On three-star offensive linemen Stone Forsythe, Brett Heggie and Jawaan Taylor: “First and foremost, when you think about the size and then you couple that with the athleticism. Three guys who really wanted to be Gators. That means a lot. They’ll fit in there and we got our numbers back. I think as we sat here and talked going into spring ball last year, what were we at – six or seven O-linemen, maybe? Something like that? So I’m glad we at least got some bodies there, too.”