Swain impressed with offense, McElwain, fast start
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Florida picked up a big commitment on Friday afternoon when Citra (Fla.) North Marion wide receiver Freddie Swain made his verbal pledge during a pep rally at his high school.
With Swain sitting almost directly in front of the Florida hat, a video playing on both sides of the North Marion gymnasium revealed the Gators as his choice. "Gainesville, here I come," Swain said in the video, followed by a #GetSwainToTheSwamp hashtag.
"There wasn't a better decision," said Swain shortly after his commitment. "Its close. I can come in and be the man and kind of help Will [Grier] out. I had seen enough."
The Rivals250 member got a chance to see the Gators in action during three of their first four home football games of the season. While watching the games from the south endzone bleachers Swain was impressed with how much the Gators passing attack has improved this season.
"They will throw it to anybody who is open. If you can get open, then you make a play and if you keep making plays then you get the ball. I am just ready to get to Gainesville and work."
A big part of the Gators revamped offense is first year head coach Jim McElwain, who has impressed the four-star pass catcher thus far because he doesn't play favorites.
"He is a great guy because he doesn't take any bull-junk from anybody," said Swain of McElwain. "If you start or you don't start, it's a fair game. Just look at it, they are 5-0 and the coach shows you if you do the wrong thing then you're not going to play."
According to the 6-foot-1, 174-pounder his decision was "close" between Southern Cal and Tennessee. He still plans to take official visits to Tennessee, Miami, and USC sometime down the road.
Swain is the Gators fourth commitment this cycle at the wide receiver position, however, if you ask North Marion head coach Stephen Field the Gators landed the cream of the crop on Friday.
"Florida just got better with Freddie," stated Field. He's the real deal. It's a situation where the future of that wide receiver core just got better."
"He is just a hardworking young man that stays humble," Field continued. "I know any college that gets him he will be successful. He is dynamic, powerful, and explosive. He really got a lot of attention coming out of the summer. Good coaching staff at Florida and they are hot right now with success. These young men make their choices and I don't push them any way."
Swain plans on coming to Gainesville for Florida's next home game when they host Vanderbilt on November 7.
In four games this year for North Marion, Swain has racked up 361 yards and two touchdowns on 22 catches. He's also accumulated 220 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns on special teams. He's missed the past two games with a bruised shoulder.
Freddie Swain commitment video at North Marion. Loud roar when Swain selects the #Gators pic.twitter.com/06JqBJPB12- Alex Shepherd (@agentshep) October 9, 2015
#Rivals250 WR Freddie Swain following the announcement of his commitment to the #Gators earlier. pic.twitter.com/KiI3dQtzLR- Landon Watnick (@LandonWatnick) October 9, 2015
Freddie Swain in his #Gators hat pic.twitter.com/dhJmXPfrkj- Landon Watnick (@LandonWatnick) October 9, 2015
Take a look at Florida's newest Gator commit with his sister JaVonna @Freddie_iball2 pic.twitter.com/MsFmggoXri- Nikko Tan (@TheNikkoTan) October 9, 2015
All smiles here at North Marion High School for Freddie Swain. #Gators pic.twitter.com/l0GI5hxULR- Landon Watnick (@LandonWatnick) October 9, 2015
Blake Alderman, Landon Watnick, Alex Shepherd and Nikko Tan contributed to this report.