re: "Recruiting Season" 2023 Class

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If you were inside the Swamp on Thursday, you more than likely enjoyed your experience as the Gators took the field for the first Orange and Blue Game under Billy Napier.

For Lucas Simmons, a four-star offensive tackle in the 2023 class, you could argue that the highlight of his visit came during pregame.

Although they had their hands full with the game itself, nearly every member of the football staff tweeted out “HejaGators.” That is Swedish for shouting a cheer, as the 6-foot-8.5, 295-pound Simmons hails from Sweden but attends school in the United States.

“It was cool. It meant a lot,” Simmons told Gators Online’s Donavon Keiser. “For them, it’s small, but it means a lot to me. It’s really cool to see how some schools really want to stand out with stuff they do and separate themselves. That’s something I really appreciated. Even though it’s a small thing for them, it meant a lot to me.”

The Gators are pushing all the right buttons with Simmons
A number of UF coaches are involved in Simmons’ recruitment; however, it’s offensive line coaches Rob Sale and Darnell Stapleton who are involved in the day-to-day conversations.

“It’s good,” Simmons said of his relationship with them. “I’m getting to know them more and more. They came in kind of late, but I still feel good about them as people and coaches.”

When you are a highly-regarded recruit like Simmons, a countless amount of recruiting pitches are thrown in your direction. The Gators obviously covet his long-term potential offensive tackle, but Simmons also appreciates their interest in getting to know him off the field.

“They seem genuine,” Simmons said of the Gators. “Most of these schools I’m really considering are genuine, but with Florida, it’s just the small things they do. Like today, we talked a lot of football, but there was also a lot of sitting down in the office and getting to know each other more as people. I appreciate that.”

The Under Armour All-American is in no hurry
Simmons, who attends Clearwater (Fla.) Academy International, does not plan to make his decision until later in the year. He has yet to schedule any of his official visits either, but the Gators only enhanced their chances following another meeting with the top-100 prospect.

“I felt good about them last time, but I really, really loved the visit I had today, for sure,” Simmons said.

In addition to Florida, Simmons is heavily considering Arkansas, Baylor, Florida State, Michigan, Mississippi State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, USF and USC. Those schools were recently in his top 12.

According to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, USC is the school trending with a 46.2 percent chance at reeling in the massive offensive lineman.

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