As is explained in our update with him on Friday night, back in June – during his time in Indianapolis to attend The Opening – Metairie (La.) Rummel four-star wide out Ja'Marr Chase said he had a top three of LSU, TCU and Tennessee, but Florida would be the program with a chance to become involved if the Gators started recruiting him harder.
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The Florida coaching staff must have taken notice.
“They called me after that [The Challenge], before I left to go to The Opening and said that they wanted to start building a relationship,” stated Chase. “They have a great program and I really like the offense they run and with [Antonio] Callaway leaving they'll have a wide-open depth chart at receiver.”
Those talks led to the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder visiting Gainesville over the weekend.
While in town, according to Chase it didn't feel like a recruiting visit at all.
“We didn't talk that much recruiting. We talked and they wanted to get to know me. We did more eating than we did talking about football. It felt like home. They made me feel comfortable with going to Florida.”
After spending a weekend in (not so sunny) Florida, now Chase will have to go back home and face the music. He will be surrounded mostly by fans of LSU. These two programs are quickly becoming the most heated rivalry in the SEC.
How will he handle what is sure to be pressure from friends, neighbors, classmates, teammates, coaches, teachers. You name it?
"It's going to be tough, but I'm going to have to handle it."
One thing that will make defending his decision much easier, actually which played a part in his decision in the first place, is the opportunity to come in and catch passes from a five-star quarterback.
Did Matt Corral committing to Florida play a part in Chase's choice?
"That played a big part. I've been to camps with Matt and have had a chance to talk to him and have him throw to me and stuff."
As for the immediate future, Chase said he is firmly committed to Florida and doesn't plan on taking any more visits this summer however he will take some official visits this fall, but he doesn't know where yet.
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* Join other Florida fans in discussing this huge commitment
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