ATH Arlis Boardingham teams up with the Florida Gators, breaks down decision

One of the more versatile offensive playmakers on the West Coast has joined forces with Billy Napier and the Gators.

Just moments ago, California-based athlete Arlis Boardingham made his commitment to UF over the Oregon Ducks.

According to the On3 Consensus Rankings, Boardingham is the No. 19 athlete in the 2022 class. He is also the No. 39 senior in the state of California and has an On3 NIL Valuation of $15,300.

In addition to the Gators and Ducks, Boardingham possesses offers from USC, Texas, Notre Dame, Utah, Arizona State and Oregon State among others.

“I would say the coaching staff,” Boardingham told Gators Online when asked why UF received the nod. “They all seem like they have a plan and are on the same page. They also share the same common goal and have their best interest in me and me developing as a person and player.

“The coaches connected with me and my family, and I feel like that was a huge part. They check off all the boxes.”

Boardingham has manufactured tight-knit relationships in Gainesville

Boardingham, 6-foot-3, 234 pounds, officially visited the Gators on Jan. 14 and received multiple visits from them during the contact period. It’s also the program that had been recruiting him the hardest, while the Ducks never visited him out in California; however, Boardingham was in Eugene the weekend prior to National Signing Day and heavily considered Dan Lanning’s program until the end, resulting in a week-long delay in his recruitment process.

Spearheading UF’s pursuit of the California native was tight ends coach William Peagler and wide receivers coach Keary Colbert. Those are the staff members who spent time at Boardingham’s school during the contact period as well, so there is certainly a home-like feel when associating with Napier’s staff.

“Both of them are really straightforward,” Boardingham said. “I’m close with coach KC just because we had those California ties before he came to Florida, so just having that Cali connection is always good. Coach P just keeps it real 100 percent of the time. He’s going to tell you if you don’t know and tell you what he knows. He’s going to give you his honest opinion, and that’s what I look for in a coach.”

During his time at the Swamp, the three-star prospect also constructed a strong level of appreciation for Billy Napier. That strong first impression from UF’s head man rubbed off on those closest to him as well, making the move of roughly 2,000 miles much easier on the Boardingham family.

“I think my relationship with him is great,” Boardingham said. “I feel like he is a great coach and has great ability for the way he came to a program and immediately started to change it and make big changes. You can already see differences in the program; it’s great.

“He’s also someone who I instantly had respect for just off the way he was speaking to me and my parents and making sure it was all right. He gave us the background and history. Making sure we were comfortable being there is what I really like about him.”

The Gators plan to make full use of Boardingham’s versatility

During the 2021 season, Boardingham reeled in 43 receptions for 836 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also completed a 19-yard touchdown pass and racked up 171 yards and five additional scores on the ground. He recorded a total of 23 touchdowns on the year, including two punt returns scores and one from a fumble recovery.

The 2022 prospect is being courted to play H-back in Gainesville but also has experience playing wide receiver, tight end and even quarterback. So, it’s certainly no surprise he is not assigned to one position in the On3 Consensus Rankings.

“They see me playing receiver and tight end,” Boardingham said. “They see me playing in that H spot, just being able to be mobile, moved around a lot and being a matchup nightwhere wherever I go.”

Stay tuned to Gators Online.