DL Joseph Mbatchou commits to Florida Gators
Joseph Mbatchou, a sleeper defensive lineman from Grayson (Ga.), earned an offer from the Florida Gators during a visit to Gainesville last Saturday. On Wednesday, he committed to Billy Napier’s program.
“Really believe in the program and the staff,” Mbatchou told Gators Online.
In a very short amount of time, Mbatchou has impressed college coaches with his frame and his skillset. The 6-foot-6, 285-pound defensive lineman did not begin playing football until earlier this year. The Gators became his first Power 5 offer. He does not yet have an On3 ranking but that likely will come this week.
“It was my first SEC offer and it was something big,” Mbatchou told Gators Online on Sunday. “I like the environment of the place and everything was just great over there. It’s definitely somewhere I could see myself being. The people, the facilities, the academics — it has all the pieces I know I would need to be successful.”
Joseph Mbatchou named the Gators his leader last weekend
Mbatchou first named the Gators his leader Sunday. He grew up playing soccer first, then switched to basketball. Now, he’s all basketball. According to sources, the Florida staff loves his upside.
“After that visit, it has to be Florida (as his top school),” Mbatchou said. “I spent a lot of time with (defensive line coach Gerald Chatman) and (edge/outside linebackers coach Mike Peterson). They see me as a defensive lineman, 3-technique (player) or they could move me to end. We’ll see when the time comes. I think they are really genuine people. They wanted the best for me. I was happy they talked about football but they also talked about being a better man and wanting what’s best for their kids. And that’s something that’s really important to me. … They’re up there. They really are.”
Mbatchou, who was born in Cameroon but moved to the U.S. as an infant, made the visit with his father and two siblings. He said they enjoyed the visit as much as he did. According to Mbatchou, he not only plans to attend the Florida-Miami game at The Swamp on Aug. 31 but he’s in the process of scheduling an in-season official visit with the Gators.
“They want me to take one as soon as possible,” Mbatchou said. “I’m definitely going to take one.”
Not only did he visit last weekend, but Mbatchou was back in Gainesville on Tuesday.
