The Florida Gators added another offensive lineman from the Class of 2009 on Monday when Groveland (Fla.) South Lake High School standout Jonotthan Harrison made his decision public.
“I am really excited to be a Gator,” Harrison told FightinGators.com. “It has been my life long dream to play football at my favorite university. “
Harrison held close to 20 offers, including each of the big three from Florida, but the Gators got the nod because of Harrison’s relationship with the coaching staff among other things.
“It was the coaching staff, location and the overall feeling that I had inside,” he said. “Also how I felt the staff and current players would welcome me in as a teammate, my parents and my current coaches. It is a relief to get the recruiting process over.”
Last Monday, Harrison made the short trip up to Gainesville to meet with the coaching staff and get another tour of the campus. He’s been to UF eight times including four games last season and this spring’s Orange and Blue Game, but this was the trip where Harrison was looking to decide if Florida was the right place for him. As the visit wrapped up, he told head coach Urban Meyer and offensive line coach Steve Addazio that he wanted to be a Gator.
“I had the best feeling of warmth and acceptance from the staff,” Harrison said. “Coach Meyer was not only close to me but my entire family. He was one of the few head coaches that was heavily involved in my recruitment. Coach Addazio was very honest and up front with not only me but my parents as well. I like the security of knowing that the coaching staff will stay together while I am at Florida. The city of Gainesville already feels like home.”
