Leaving home to attend college in a different state is not easy for many high school football prospects.
Nine hours away? Some wouldn’t even consider it.
But Florence, Ala., athlete Beniquez Brown doesn’t mind the distance. He also knows someone whose been in his shoes before — Florida defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson, his primary recruiter.
“He was in the same situation I’m in,” Brown said. “He left his home state of Florida to go to Auburn, which is nine hours away. I would be going from there (Alabama) to Florida. So we have good communication about that.”
Brown said the common ground they have will help in his decision-making process. Robinson and the coaching staff showed Brown a family atmosphere that he found appealing on his first visit to Gainesville.
“(Robinson) treats me just like I was his son,” Brown said. “All of them treat you like they’re your daddy. It’s your home away from home.”
Brown met with head coach Will Muschamp about the needs of the team and also toured the campus with tight ends coach Brian White.
“It was real good,” he said of the visit. “I talked to all the coaches about their open positions and building a relationship with all of them. Now I’m real comfortable down here and my mom said she wouldn’t have a problem with me coming if this is where I decide to go.”
Alabama had previously led for Brown, but the UF visit opened his eyes and put the Gators in his top five.
“They raised the bar,” Brown said. “They set a high standard for me and my mom liked it. I’m not gonna say I have a favorite. I love Bama. It’s my home state, not too far away from my mom so it’s good.
“But then I came down here and saw the great environment, great coaches and I love it down here too. So right now everything is just wide open.”
The determining factor in Brown’s commitment will be comfort.
“I’m gonna go wherever it’s comfortable for me,” he said. “It’s not about too close or too far away from home, it’s wherever I feel comfortable at.”
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound athlete also needs to find comfort at a position, too. Florida extended an offer to him last month, but where he will end up has yet to be determined.
“Really they won’t say right now,” Brown said. “They just say do whatever I want. I’m torn in between the two right now. I don’t really know what I want to do. Either offense or defense, it will be a last-minute decision.”
As the guy from Price is Right used to say, “Come on down!” You cannot find a better public university than UF. You’ll be a long way from family, but you’ll develop a second family with the coaches and players at UF.
“they just do whatever I want”. Don’t think so. Hopefully this guy will keep his head on right.
He didn’t say “they just do whatever I want”. The quote is “They just say do whatever I want.” In other words, the coaches have told them that he is good enough to play offense or defense at this level. Nothing about that quote says that he needs to get his head on straight.
amen JoeGator
I think its great that we are looking at Brown. However he will most likely play at Alabama.
Let’s spend time with our UF boys. We have the in state talent, start showing some LOVE.
We will get plenty of Florida boys, but there’s nothing wrong with getting a couple of top guys from around the nation either.
I’ve been away for a week and I just checked the site and what do I see … all these recruiting stories. Good stories. In the past, I’ve been hard on Jeff for being lazzz…well let’s just say frugal with his material output and I was about to comment on the turn around and give him credit for working harder, when I realized he’s not the author of this story or any of the other recent stories. First, if it’s not already done, please hire Zach. Second, please change the name, let Zach come up with one on his own. You show real promise Zach, it almost feels like Ed is back. Wait a minute,,,is Zach a pen name for Ed?
To win championships you have get the best in your state and from around the nation.
The funny thing is that only about one in ten of these kids talks about education being a factor.
Education may be the last thing on this kids minds. Yes thats sad to say but its reality, kids are coming for business.
The Family atmosphere on the plains is one of the main characteristics of the campus at Auburn University. It is felt by all students-not only the student athletes. It is one aspect of bonding that creates the opportunity for Team Work to flourish. Team Work builds Championship seasons. Most of the coaches that have coached and recruited at Auburn University learn to value family and use it where ever they go. Coach Robinson and Muschamp are good examples. We are proud of this tradition and believe it builds character as well as championships. War Eagle
Moderate away. You might get some feedback
What the hay. Is this my own private blogosphere? Seriously, Auburn is in the USA. War Eagle
Notice the quote “I Love Bama” Don’t get ur hopes up to much gator nation.