Top 2018 target visits yet again
Florida has really benefited from 2018 offensive tackle Reuben Unije making the move from the state of Georgia to Florida so that he can attend Brandenton (Fla.) IMG Academy.
Over the span of the last week Unije has made the to Gainesville twice, with his most recent visit coming on Wednesday. During both of visits Unije was able to see much of Florida’s campus.
“I have gotten a chance to see just about everything about Florida,” said Unije. “Especially on this second visit I feel like I got to see the campus a lot more. I got to see the indoor practice facility and the weight room on the football side of things.”
The Gators are still looking for their first commitment in the 2018 class, and have this junior-to-be high on their list of targets.
“They tell me they want me to be a Gator really bad,” said Unije with a laugh. “Especially Coach Mac. He wants me really bad. On my visit today he brought me into his office and the first thing he told me was, 'You’re going to be a Gator right?' and I laughed. It lets me know they really want me and they tell me how I can play as a true freshman at tackle. They like my size and think I can play early.”
Currently teams such as Alabama, Missouri and Oregon State – as well as others - have offered the 6-foot-6, 300-pounder. Though he isn’t naming leaders at this time, it does seem as though the Gators are in a good spot after both visits.
“I really don’t like putting teams at the top, but of course Florida is going to be a little ahead of the others because I have been there a lot now compared to a lot of other schools. I really liked a lot of schools that offered me early and showed faith in me in the beginning. A lot of schools like N.C. State, Florida, Alabama, and all of those schools believed in me early.”
As far as a recruiting time line - Unije is in no hurry saying he wouldn’t even think about committing until the summer after his junior season at the earliest. He hopes to make many visits over the course of the next year, with a return to Gainesville in the works.
“There is like a 95-percent chance I come back to Florida on Tuesday to see it again and hang out with the coaches again. I might also try and see FSU sometime too, but I don’t know yet, that may be visit during the season. I would like to see Georgia, Texas A&M, and some other schools too. I’m just taking things day by day if I committed early it would be next off-season, but if I am not ready I won’t. I’m not rushing.”