Florida football: Gators land commitment from 4 star DL Kelby Collins
By Will Thomas
Florida football and Billy Napier are keeping the stove hot on the recruiting trail as they continue to fill out their defensive class.
Today they landed the commitment of 4 star DL Kelby Collins.
They beat out South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama for Kelby’s services.
247 Sports has Collins ranked as the 6th best d-lineman in the class of 2023, and the 70th best player overall. He’ll be another top 100 addition to an already impressive class that Napier is putting together in his first full recruiting cycle.
In his last 2 years in high school, Collins has totaled 160 tackles, 35 of which were for a loss. He also had 16 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and a tackle for a safety.
Cooper Petagna of 247 Sports has said that Collins, “Displays good athletic ability and position versatility showing the ability to line up in multiple positions across the defensive line” and “Has the ability to beat you with speed or power and shows the ability to close space quickly once in the backfield.”
With good size at 6’5”-280, combined with the explosiveness he has, Collins has the potential to be a serious threat to opposing backfields at the collegiate level.
So how does Collins fit in with the Gators?
Collins is walking in to a great situation in Gainesville. Coach Sean Spencer is every bit as good as advertised, and strength coach Mark Hocke will have him bullying lineman in the SEC for years.
He also has a great group of players around him that he can learn from, like Princely Umanmielen and Lloyd Summerall III.
Just like any great recruit that walks into a program like Florida, Collins’ potential is sky high. While he won’t get much playing time during his first year or two on campus, all of that time to develop will make him a force to be reckoned with in Gainesville.
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