Photograph: Billy Napier; Credit score: Alex Shepherd
Gainesville was buzzing on March 19 with an abundance of prospects coming to city to go to the College of Florida for the Gators’ third observe and first full-padded observe of the spring.
One of many prospects everybody was keeping track of was 2024 linebacker and Florida legacy, Myles Graham. Graham is the son of former Gators’ All-SEC operating again Earnest Graham, who attended UF from 1998 to 2002.
Whereas the youthful Graham confirmed up in Gainesville with out a proposal, it didn’t take lengthy for that to alter. And to make issues even higher, Graham acquired what he referred to as his “dream provide” from the top man himself, coach Billy Napier.
“It was top-of-the-line emotions on this planet, I can’t actually clarify it,” Graham instructed AllGators after his go to. “It’s one thing I’ve been working for since I began enjoying soccer. So, it undoubtedly feels good.”
Graham is an especially versatile prospect that has performed operating again, linebacker and even security at the highschool degree. Nevertheless, he obtained to talk a bit bit with Napier and one other coach a bit extra in-depth to get a greater understanding of the place they see him becoming in Gainesville and what they like about his talent set.
“He simply stated that if he was to judge me as a 2023 recruit, he would take me proper now and I’m a 2024, in order that’s saying one thing. And likewise, that I’m a legacy in order that helps quite a bit.” Graham stated. “They provided me as an inside linebacker. [Coach Napier] loves how bodily, quick, and downhill I play.
“I talked to Coach [Jay] Bateman, the within linebacker coach. He actually loves me, and he loves my movie and the best way I play. He thinks I’m top-of-the-line sophomores within the nation. He desires me to come back again quite a bit and go to, he’s an incredible coach.”
Being a legacy recruit, many individuals will anticipate that the proficient defender could be Florida’s to lose. And whereas he does take into account UF his dream faculty and he might very effectively find yourself there sooner or later, Graham says that he’s attempting to forge his personal path.
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“My dad enjoying at Florida [doesn’t really factor in]. I actually need to make my very own path and begin my very own wave,” stated Graham. “I undoubtedly love the varsity however that doesn’t imply like an computerized dedication to Florida.”
With that being stated, clearly, the older Graham was tremendous excited to see his son get a proposal from his alma mater and had some encouraging phrases for his son now that he’s in possession of a proposal he’s coveted for a very long time.
“He was actually comfortable for me as a result of he is aware of how a lot I’ve wished [a UF offer],” Graham defined. “He instructed me I earned it and that he’s happy with me. And we’re simply going to maintain exploring all of our alternatives within the recruiting course of and see the place it takes us.”
Graham has almost 30 affords to select from as solely a sophomore in highschool. With Florida extending a proposal and being one which he has wished for fairly a while, the Gators are actually firmly within the combine and goals to be on the proficient linebacker’s thoughts for the lengthy haul.
“I really like the College of Florida, I all the time have since a child in order that they’re undoubtedly within the high 10, high 15 space,” Graham defined. “It’s nonetheless actually early within the course of so I haven’t actually separated anyone from the remaining, however they’re sort of in that space.”
Graham was in a position to observe observe and see what the construction was like and the way his attainable future coaches get after it. He got here away impressed.
“The observe was very organized; coach Bateman is excessive power. The entire observe was excessive power, it was bodily which I loved watching,” stated Graham. “They usually appeared like they have been having a very good time getting higher and attempting to make strides as a group.”
With nonetheless a protracted technique to go in his course of, Graham doesn’t should decide anytime quickly. Nevertheless, when he does ultimately choose a program, he is aware of precisely what he’s searching for in that faculty.
“I simply actually need a program that exhibits how a lot they need and want me,” Graham stated. “A profitable tradition, a group that wishes to win, a brotherhood feeling amongst the group and an incredible teaching employees that wishes the very best on and off the sector.”
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