Good Morning Gators: Keary Colbert mic'd up; UF recruiting rewind
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Florida’s wideouts now have a former NFL receiver coaching them in Keary Colbert.
He played seven years in the league after a four-year career at Southern Cal (2000-03), where he ranks in the top 10 for most career receptions (207) and career receiving yards (2,964) in program history.
Colbert coached at his alma mater for the past six seasons before joining UF’s staff.
“It’s definitely nice to be able to know that he’s been there, he’s been down that path, so he can be someone that I can go to if I like need help with anything or I have questions,” Gators WR Justin Shorter said of Colbert. “He’s a great guy. He cares about every single player and he just coaches well. I feel like I’ve learned so much from him already, you know, and we’re only two weeks into spring ball.”
Shorter is the top returning receiver for Colbert, who inherited nine players at his position this spring including Xzavier Henderson and Trent Whittemore. Colbert assessed his group Saturday after the team’s ninth spring practice.
“We’re just trying to get better every single day and the guys have done that. They’ve really dedicated themselves to practicing hard and doing things the right way,” Colbert said. “It’s a new system for them — just trying to perfect it and make their plays when they get the opportunity. I’ll say this: They’re supporting one another, they’re flying around and I’m encouraged by that.”
In other Florida football news
- Observations from Florida’s ninth spring practice on Saturday, including a top returning player making his debut in camp.
- Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, who was at Saturday’s practice, shares his thoughts on UF quarterback Anthony Richardson.
- WATCH: Gators coach Billy Napier says UF will be “very aggressive” in the transfer portal after spring camp ends this month.
UF recruiting roundup
- Four-star RB Treyaun Webb, the cousin of former Gators DB Dee Webb: “It’s going to be hard to pull me away from Florida.”
- Top-100 receiver Tyler Williams received the red-carpet treatment from Billy Napier’s staff during his visit to UF on Saturday.
- Another trip to Gainesville, another strong meeting with the Gators for DT John Walker, a top-100 overall recruit in the On3 Consensus.
- Four-star defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod received a rave review from Gators Co-DC Sean Spencer while visiting Florida.
- Four-star defensive lineman Gabriel Harris, a top-200 prospect, had a strong first meeting with Billy Napier’s staff last Saturday.
- Tight end Reid Mikeska had an “amazing” experience at UF on Saturday and plans to return for official visit this summer.
- Florida is pushing the hardest for 2023 offensive lineman Bryce Lovett, who visited the Swamp for the third straight weekend.
- The Gators make their move with four-star offensive lineman Kelton Smith, who landed an offer the staff on his visit Saturday.
- Blue-chip lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis, the brother of UF starting tackle Richard Gouraige, is a priority for the Gators in 2024.
- Ellis Robinson IV, the No. 3-ranked cornerback and a top-10 overall recruit for 2024, also received an offer on his UF visit Saturday.
- Daniel Calhoun, the No. 2-ranked offensive tackle in the 2024 class, logged a multi-day visit to the Swamp over the weekend.
- On300 cornerback Chance Rucker says the Gators “sit very high” in his recruitment after extending him an offer on Tuesday.
- Elite cornerback Malik Muhammad, a top-50 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus, plans to visit Florida this month.
- Florida played host Saturday to 2023 safety Jaremiah Anglin, who received an offer from the staff in February.
Gators sports roundup
- New men’s basketball coach Todd Golden has completed his coaching staff with the hiring of Carlin Hartman and Jonathan Safir.
- Golden has also added Gator Great and national champion Taurean Green to his staff. He will serve as director of player development.
Let’s keep talking
Want to keep the conversation going? Head over to our Florida message board, Swamp Talk. Gators Online is running a spring camp promo. Sign up here and join the discussion for just $10, which will cover the next four months.
Gators Twitter updates
- Napier’s staff flooded social media on Saturday night with its “Why Not Florida?” Twitter campaign.
