Massive lineman headed to Florida's Friday Night Lights Camp

Despite adding 10 offensive linemen in the last two recruiting cycles combined, Florida was so down numbers wise they are still in a position where they need to add a handful more in the Class of 2017.

Though they already have a commitment from four-star tackle Kadeem Telfort, the Gators are still looking to add a few more big bodies to the mix going forward.

Speaking of big bodies, this coming weekend the Gators will have a very large prospect on campus for a visit when Gadsden (Ala.) Gadsden City 6-foot-8, 310-pound Toryque Bateman comes to town.

“I will be heading down to Florida sometime on Thursday, so I will be down for the Friday Night Lights Camp,” said Bateman. “I am very excited to get down because I have been talking with Coach [Mike] Summers and Coach Mac [Jim McElwain] a lot.”

This visit will be Bateman’s first ever to Gainesville, meaning there are many sights he is looking forward to getting a chance to see. Heading into the visit the Gators have yet to offer, but Bateman feels it could happen during his time in the Sunshine State.

“I think they want to do it person,” said Bateman of a possible offer. “They haven’t offered yet, but I think they want to do it in person. They say they love my athleticism and stuff and they want to work with me. They really want me to meet coach Mac in person and get the feel of campus and work out on the field.”

An offer from the Gators would also be taking highly into consideration by the three-star.

“I already feel like Florida is a great school and I really do like Florida and they would be in my top five no doubt. I haven’t made a list of schools or anything yet, but I have a couple in mind. I may do like a top seven or eight sometime early August.”

According to Bateman he hears mostly from schools like Michigan, Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi State, Miami, Missouri, and Virginia Tech. When it comes to making a commitment Bateman looks like he will stretch things into the fall months.

“I have been talking to my dad and he was saying how it could be a good thing to go ahead and commit early, but I don’t know yet. The earliest I would even want to commit would be sometime mid high school football season. I just want to enjoy the process and I know if you take things slow you find out what schools really want you.”