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Published May 4, 2017
2020 teammates offered
Mark Wheeler  •  1standTenFlorida
Publisher

Whether it is due to a change in philosophy or circumstance, without question as Jim McElwain and Company have become more comfortable and established at Florida the staff has been able to offer more and more prospects earlier and earlier in their recruiting process.

On Tuesday alone the Gators sent out 10-plus offers to 2019-2020 prospects.

Just last week Florida had a 'two-fer' when the Gators extended offers to 2020 Orange Park (Fla.) Oakleaf teammates Jalen Rivers and Chantz Williams.

"I feel honored to get these offers because not very many people get this opportunity. I feel excited for my future."

The 6-foot-5, 325-pounder - who sports a perfect 4.0 GPA - has been offered by the instate big-three of Florida, Florida State and Miami.

Tennessee, Central Florida and Georgia have pulled the trigger as well.

Though he doesn't want to talk leaders or favorites, Rivers admits he grew-up pulling for an instate school.

"I grew up in a Miami household," explained Rivlers. "My stepdad is from Miami. He was born there before he moved to Georgia. I grew up around him liking Miami. So that's it."

Despite being 33 months away from his own decision day, Rivers has been actively visiting colleges and gathering information.

So far he has been to Florida State (twice), Georgia (ULL game), Florida (spring practice) and Miami (practice and spring game).

Rivers described two stops that stood out the most.

"At Florida, what caught my attention is that what they do is very similar to what we do at Oakleaf. The way they practice and how it is run. They have the same periods as us," explained Rivers. "At Miami, it was the way they treat me there. The coaches are very nice there. I love Coach [Stacy] Searels so much. Coach [Mark] Richt too."

This summer Rivers plans on camping at Clemson and Miami.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder is up to eight offers already - including a few from some of the top programs in the southeast: Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, Miami, Tennessee."

When asked if one offer surprised him the most, Williams responded, "Tennessee, because I didn't know they were interested in me until they offered."

The one offer he is most looking forward to receiving - "Alabama. That would blow me away," said Williams.

To this point he has visited Georgia (for a game last year), Florida State (for a junior day and the Gaarnet & Gold game) and Miami (first day of spring practice).

Williams - who had 4 sacks and 6 tackles for loss last year as a freshman - said that he didn't grow up a fan of any one school in particular.

While he currently has no favorites, he did say that he feels like he is closest with the Florida State staff and that the Seminoles and Hurricanes are recruiting him the hardest.

He plans on camping at Miami and Clemson this summer.


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