4-star DL Kelby Collins commits to Florida over Alabama: "I want to be different"

Kelby Collins was officially down to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. When he got serious about making his decision earlier this summer, the No. 60 prospect in the On3 Consensus was focused on the Crimson Tide, Gators, and Bulldogs.

It was a battle between three powers in the SEC. Georgia faded a little in recent weeks and Alabama and Florida squared off.

From the beginning of his recruitment, Collins talked about how he was open to leaving his home state, and the four-star defensive lineman out of Gardendale (Ala.) was serious.

“I want to be different,” Collins told On3. “Alabama is a great school. I have been there a lot and I like what Alabama is about, but Florida just feels right. Going to Florida allows me to get out of Alabama, see new things, explore new things, and it is something I have been thinking about for a long time.”

Yes, the change of scenery is something Collins factored into his decision, but it wasn’t all about the palm trees and beaches in the Sunshine State.

“The coaching staff at Florida has a great plan for me. They see me moving all over their defensive line and I like their plan and my opportunity to play there. They see me making a huge impact for them, and me having the chance to do that early.

“When I have visited Florida, they have shown me their vision. I know the plan they have for the team, for the players, and for me. They have shown me a lot and I like what they are doing.”

Official visit to Florida changed things for Collins

Heading into the summer, Alabama and Georgia had a substantial lead over other schools. Collins was planning to visit Clemson early in June, but at the last minute, he switched that to Florida.

That is when the Gators made their move.

“My official visit to Florida wasn’t even supposed to happen,” Collins said. “Coach Chase Clark convinced me to change it, so I decided to visit Florida, give them a look, and that ended up being a big decision for me.

“I got down there, I saw their plan for me, and I just felt the energy. That visit showed me what Florida was about. It was my first time there, and when I left, I knew Florida had a shot.

“From that visit on, Florida stayed in the back of my mind. I still had Alabama and Georgia up there, but Florida started be a bigger school for me.”

“The vibe and the energy at Florida fits me. I like the coaches, the players, and the plan they have for the team. It was not an easy decision, but Florida just stayed in my mind.”

The No. 7 defensive lineman in the country got back down to the Swamp late in July. At that time, it was a tight race between the Crimson Tide, Gators, and Bulldogs. After that visit, things started to become a little clearer.

Collins is a believer in Billy Napier

Clark is an off-the-field assistant with ties to Alabama. He played a big role in Collins committing to the Gators. Sean Spencer, the defensive line coach was heavily involved as well.

Billy Napier’s vision for the program was something that really impacted Collins’ decision.

“Florida is on the way up,” Collins said. “The players trust coach Napier. From day one, the team was in with him and now he is putting in his system. They are not that far back now, so with him getting these key pieces in this recruiting class, Florida will be back soon. They are all working together.”

Collins has met with Napier in person a couple of times and the two have had many conversations over the phone. The new commitment relates to the head coach in Gainesville.

“Coach Napier is a lot like me. He is quiet, he is about business, and he stays to himself, but then he can flip that switch. He is a coach I can really talk to about advice off the field, then on the field, he is about business. I like that about him,

“He is a very organized and structured coach with a plan. He is someone I really relate well to and I know he wants the best for me as a person and a player.”