Newly-offered DB sees potential path to early playing time with the Gators

After being awarded a scholarship offer last Tuesday, Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes junior Jakob Gude wasted little time packing his bags and visited Florida just 48 hours later.

“I loved every part of it, most definitely. I liked how intense practice was and how much they get after it. They were real,” Gude told Gators Online.

“One thing about Florida is they were so intense and so competitive that they ended up getting into a few fights at practice. Not any bad fights; just little scuffles. They all want it bad. If everybody wants it like that, there are not too many ways your program can mess up.”

Although he is currently unranked, Gude is a hot commodity who possesses offers from some of the premier programs. Among those who are also in pursuit are Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, Texas A&M and Texas. Gude says Alabama and Ohio State are schools that will definitely receive an official visit.

On3 labels Gude an athlete and understandably so, while the Gators envision him splitting time between nickel and safety. The 6-foot, 177-pound junior projects best in the secondary.

All in all, the on-field intensity of the staff as well as a potential path to early playing time highlights Gude’s interest in the SEC program.

“The coaches told me their two nickels are seniors, so if I was to get up there, I would play my freshman year. I’m not letting no freshmen play over me,” said Gude.

Gude is not approaching the recruiting finish line just yet

When Gude landed an offer last week, it was wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales who delivered the news. He is expected to be the primary recruiter, but it was defensive line assistant Kali James who Gude communicated with the most while on campus.

“We kind of get along the most because he’s from where I’m from. He is from the southside of Atlanta,” Gude said of James. “He has great energy and is another guy just like me. It just felt like home. They were showing me they wanted me. I got to talk with coach Napier too.”

As expected, the Gators’ head man left his mark when chopping it up with the Peach State native as well.

“It was a one-on-one with me, my coach and him,” Gude said. “It was great. He was just explaining the facilities and how much they changed them and the program around. I liked what he was telling me.”

According to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, nearby Georgia Tech is trending with odds of 34.6 percent. Alabama, which receives a visit this afternoon, checks in with the second-best percentage.

As for the Gators, they sit comfortably inside Gude’s top 10. Their percentage of 13.6 ranks third in the On3 RPM.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

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