Four-star LB signee Shemar James meets new position coach on official to Florida
After signing with Florida in December, four-star linebacker Shemar James made a return trip, using an official to get familiar with Billy Napier and his staff.
Gators Online spoke with James shortly after his official visit wrapped up.
James sums up his UF official
“It was fun, just getting to know the new staff and recruiting the new guys that haven’t signed yet,” James said.
With the new staff, plenty of new faces was around James. Luckily for him, he had a few familiar faces to rely on, including Director of Player Personnel Chase Clark and Assistant AD of Recruiting Strategy Katie Turner. “I felt more comfortable to know that I knew people. Like Chase [Clark] and Abby and Katie [Turner] from UGA. It was just a good experience.”
James says that linebacker and player host Chief Borders was fun to be around this weekend. “He brings a lot of energy. The first night we went to Spurrier’s, and that was some good dinner.”
On his official, James got to meet his future position coach, Jay Bateman.
“I spent a lot of time with coach Bateman and coach Chaney and coach Toney,” James said. “You could tell that he [Bateman] cares a lot about his position and his players. I felt that this whole weekend.”
WIth Bateman in town, James got a chance to hear how the new staff would use his talents.
“They said I would be playing both inside linebackers, both MIKE and WILL, James told GO. “They said they want to blitz me a lot, and you know, play me in space and show off my versatility.”
As a signee, James also played the role of recruiter this weekend.
“I was in the ear of Max [Brown], the quarterback that is committed to Central Michigan, and Jacoby Matthews. I feel like we have a pretty good shot. We’ll see.”
Replaying December: How James made his decision
“It was really just me coming back to Gainesville and enjoying my time here, James said of his official.
James said that even though his recruitment came down to Alabama and Georgia, Gainesville was still where he wanted to be. “It was probably just me taking a chance on a new staff. It was just that feeling to come to Florida.”
The week of signing day, co-defensive coordinator and safeties Patrick Toney spent some time playing PlayStation with James. “It was cool,” James said.
Stay tuned to Gators Online.
