Florida Gators are making strong case for On300 DL Ethan Utley

This past weekend, the Gators had their plate full with 14 official visitors in town. Linebacker Myles Graham was the lone commit on campus, so Florida was in full-on recruiting mode for multiple days.

On top of that, a key 2025 target met with the Gators last weekend as well. That prospect is On300 defensive lineman, Ethan Utley, who spent several hours on campus Sunday afternoon.

Utley, who also visited Florida last fall, straps up the pads for Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth.

“What all impressed me was getting a feel for how Florida is. Like, getting a look around the campus and learning more about the program,” Utley told Gators Online.

“I was actually on a time crunch because I had a flight to catch that day. The coaches were being really respectful and wanted to make sure I was on top of that flight. Just something small like that, like, them being respectful and making sure everything is good in my life.

“Making it more than about football really spoke about the program. The conversation I had with coach Chaos and coach Napier is one of those conversations I will always remember.”

With that said, what were the highlights of that memorable conversation with the Gators?

“Me and coach Spencer just talked about football and life,” Utley said. “Like, how the Florida program works and how he’s going to focus on the relationship part of him recruiting me. He was showing me how guys he recruited in the past always come back and check on him. They are always showing respect when they see him because he took the time to build that relationship with him.

“In my recruitment, I’m big on colleges creating a relationship with me outside of football. Just knowing coach Spencer did that with some one of the best and is continuing to do that with the recruits he’s bringing in speaks volumes.”

The Gators’ head man provides Utley with home-like feel

Although Utley met Billy Napier the first time around, this past weekend provided both parties with a better opportunity to grow closer to each other.

That is because Utley’s first trip to the Swamp was for last year’s victory over South Carolina. Unless you arrive on campus several hours prior to kickoff, there is not much time to spend with the coaching staff.

On Sunday, however, it was a much different setup with each prospect receiving red-carpet treatment.

“Really, just seeing my mom and coach Napier connect. My mom is my everything, so seeing her connect with someone like him off rip (was awesome),” Utley said of the highlight. “It was the first time really meeting him, but the second time shaking his hand and giving each other hugs. Seeing that spoke to me.

“Coach Napier is a guy you can approach and he will always be there for his players. It’s one of those things he puts out there for himself. He’s easy to access, good for his players, and creates relationships with everyone within his program, including the parents. That speaks as to who coach Napier is.”

Latest visit cemented Florida as a top contender

According to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Utley is the No. 17 defensive lineman and No. 160 prospect regardless of position.

And as expected, the Gators are not the only program making the blue-chip prospect a priority. Additional offers include Georgia, Michigan, Tennessee, LSU, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Auburn.

The in-state Volunteers currently hold the slight advantage in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

“Me being down there twice now says everything that needs to be said,” Utley said. “I haven’t been to a lot of programs more than once. It doesn’t mean the programs I’ve only been to one time aren’t of high class in my recruitment, but knowing Florida is one of those schools I can access being a kid from south, it speaks for itself.

“I think a kid wouldn’t want to go back to a program again if the experience wasn’t what they expected it to be or they didn’t enjoy it.”

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

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