Florida already has two solid quarterbacks this year in Treon Harris and Will Grier, but Jim McElwain is already building for the future.
Highly touted Class of 2017 QB Jake Allen (Fort Lauderdale, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas HS) received an offer from Florida today after attending the Gators’ camp today. He also has offers from Miami, NC State, Iowa, Rutgers, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
I spoke with Allen right after he received the offer:
Q: Florida just offered you. That’s obviously a good thing. But how’s the rest of your recruitment process been?
A: “Awesome! It’s been going great.”
Q: How did Coach McElwain extend the offer?
A: “After the camp, he took my father and I into his office. Coach Nuss (offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier) and Skip (running backs coach Tim Skipper). He told me how much he wanted me to be a Gator and stuff, but it was funny because he never actually said “we’re offering you” or anything like that. So afterwards I spoke to Coach Nuss and asked him, “So… did you guys offer?” And he said, “Yeah, of course buddy. We love you. That’s Mac’s way of offering.”
Q: You called Florida your dream job right after getting the offer. Why is it your dream offer?
A: “My personal QB coach, Eric Kresser, went there. And I’ve been a big Tim Tebow fan all my life.
Q: So Tebow and Kresser played a role in influencing you. But that was all in the past. What about the current program makes you want to go there now?
A: “The offense Nuss runs played a big role. I think UF is the perfect fit for me because of that offense. And I love the coaching staff. They made me feel like I’m at home.”
Q: How would you feel about competing with Grier and Harris for snaps?
A: “Oh, I’d love it. Competition is a great thing.”
Q: You’re going to FSU’s camp tomorrow. How would you feel if Jimbo Fisher offered you?
A: “It would certainly be big, but UF is my leader right now. I can’t say that would or would not change if FSU were to offer. I owe it to myself to see other schools before I commit. But again, UF is the perfect fit for me.”
Q: Do you have a timeframe for when you think you’d commit? And if so, when?
A: “Not a date, really. Just whenever I feel comfortable. Again, I owe it to myself to see other schools, like FSU, Alabama, Notre Dame and Michigan, before I commit. I will add that I’m pretty comfortable at UF, though.”
Q: You’re scheduled to visit Alabama on July 13th. Does that mean you won’t commit before then?
A: “Not necessarily. I just have to see where I’m most comfortable. I’ll commit when it feels like the right time to do so.”
Q: Thanks, Jake. Go Gators!
