After a busy recruiting process that saw him committed to Baylor and then Houston at different points, three-star defensive back Donovan Stiner finally decided on his college destination once an offer from Florida late in the cycle came his way.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Stiner then committed to UF just four days before National Signing Day. A native of Bellaire, Texas, Stiner currently projects as a safety at the college level. He's set to arrive for the start of summer B classes in late June and plans on likely picking a major in the business field.
Today, it's time to learn a little bit more about Stiner on a personal level in this edition of Getting to Know.
I know you were looked at by a handful of different schools, but what was the initial reason you chose to come to Florida?
“It was a long recruiting process. I went to Florida when I was like in middle school for track. I’ve visited so I liked it ever since then. After everything that happened with Coach (Tom) Herman and U-of-H, I’m hearing from Coach (Kerry) Dixon. He invited me down for the official visit and everything. Once I went on the official, it was like a done deal.”
What was your reaction to the offer late in the cycle?
“It was a big relief, because I knew it was a good opportunity for me. It was really exciting, because as soon as I got offered I knew it was a good possibility that I’d go there. Once I went on the official, I knew it was like a for-sure thing.
Who came in second for you and why?
“I would say U-of-H, just because I have a really close relationship with their coaching staff. It’s my home school. I just knew that I had a connection with them and I liked them a lot.”
What did you like the most about the recruiting process?
“I would say probably going to the games. I love going to the games, really like the atmosphere and stuff. So, that was like the most fun part to me.”
What about the least?
“It was kind of stressful, because at the end you’re going to one school and you build all these relationships with coaches. You have to turn some of them down, so that was kind of stressful.”
What would you say is your greatest strength as a football player?
“I’d say tackling. I’m a pretty solid tackler. I’m pretty good all around, but really that’s my favorite thing and I’m good at it, so I’d say tackling.”
What do you really want to work on the most when you get to UF?
“I just want to work on learning the playbook. Just knowing everything to be the best I can be.”
Which spot in the secondary do you feel the most comfortable at? Where have the Florida coaches expressed that you'll play?
“I’m pretty versatile, but any of the safety positions – strong or free – because I pretty much played everything in high school. They like me at either strong or free.”
What are your expectations for your first season in Gainesville?
“I want to get into the rotation as quickly as possible and work my way up to a starting position.”
Who has been the biggest role model for you in your life?
“My dad. He works really hard to provide for the family. He’s always taught me to work hard and not make any excuses.”
If you could meet one person in the world, who would that be?
“Kam Chancellor. I’d like to meet him and talk about his game.”
Which NFL player would you compare your talents to?
“I’d say I’m like a mixture between Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas. Chancellor brings that hard-hitting aspect to the game, and then Earl Thomas, his ability to cover a long range.”
Do you have a favorite professional sports team?
“The Seattle Seahawks, just because of the secondary.”
What is your favorite music type or favorite artist?
“I like J. Cole.”
Favorite movie?
“I like the old Fast and Furious movies.”
Favorite TV show?
“White Collar. It's got really smart timing. The main character does a lot of clever stuff throughout the show."
If you got drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, what would be your first purchase?
“I think I’d buy both of my parents and my brother a nice car. Buy them all a nice car.”
What are three things that you have on your bucket list?
“One, the NFL. Two, to travel out of the country. The third one would be going back to the first one, buying my family something nice like a car or something.”
What is something about you that Gators fans may not know?
"At one point, I used to run summer track. In middle school, I was the fifth-ranked 80-meter hurdler in the nation. I went to like the junior championships and everything. I still did it in high school. Not this past year, though."
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