Gators lead for top tight end

Gig Harbor's (Wash.) Austin Seferian-Jenkins traveled down to the Sunshine State with his mother for spring break. Seferian-Jenkins, one of the top tight ends in the country, came to visit Miami and Florida. After arriving at UF, he realized one thing; it's different.

"The climate is different, the football intensity is different; it's just different from Washington."

Although some might assume that the unfamiliar waters of The Swamp would have made him uncomfortable, Seferian-Jenkins didn't feel that way.

"I liked it, I want to play at the highest level that I can."

During a thirty minute conversation with Urban Meyer, the head coach set out to convince Seferian-Jenkins that the level he's looking for resides in Gainesville, Florida.

"He just told me this is the best place in America to come play football."

The Washington prospect had a great experience on his first visit to UF.

Seferian-Jenkins got to tour the campus, facilities and stadium, but the time he spent with Urban Meyer and the coaching staff meant the most.

"(The coaches) were just straight forward and honest," said Seferian-Jenkins. "I really love coach Urban Meyer, he's really cool. He told me what he thought about me, his honest opinion, and what he thought I could do for the team right now."

The Gig Harbor tight end has tremendous catching ability, and runs exceptional routes for his size. Should Seferian-Jenkins choose the Gators, his skills would be further developed under tight end coach Brian White, his main recruiter. The two have a history that dates back to his 9th grade year.

"I have known him since my freshman year in high school when I went to the University of Washington camp, and I got offered by them," revealed Seferian-Jenkins. "He liked what I did and then he went to Florida, and I have been talking to him ever since. I just have a really strong relationship with him."

Out of all the schools recruiting Seferian-Jenkins, he said that he is closest with the coaching staff at Florida. That connection provides an advantage for the Gators, who lead for the talented tight end.

"Yeah for sure, definitely," said Seferian-Jenkins. "The Gators are my favorite. I really just like the coaches, the players and their system. They're recruiting good guys and they're getting good guys. Their 2010 class was number one in the country, and the 2011 class will probably be number one in the country too."

Florida fans can find out if Seferian-Jenkins will be part of this year's class when he makes his commitment at Army-All-American Bowl in January.

Until then, the Gig Harbor standout will attend summer camps at Florida, UCLA and Washington. Seferian-Jenkins said he will only take three official visits next season and Florida will receive one of them for sure, along with UCLA.