Since receiving an offer from the Florida Gators in June of last year as a rising sophomore, Orlando (Fla.) First Academy 2026 three-star offensive lineman Chancellor Barclay has made regular visits to UF’s campus. He’s already made three or four trips to Gainesville this year and returned on Saturday for the Gators’ annual recruiting BBQ, which takes place in July. With so many various types of visits to UF over the last year, this trip was unique from previous ones.
“When it comes to the cookout, a junior day is probably the closest thing to it, but the cookout is much more of a bonding event as a whole at Florida. You have the time with the coaches and the atmosphere like you get at a Junior Day, but you don’t get involved with some of the other staff members and recruits there too. You want to spent time with the people you could be playing with or playing against when you get to college. I think that was the biggest thing about this visit that stuck out to me. Was the bond you get with the coaches, other staff, and then the recruits there too. We all learned more about each other, and got to bond with each other. Getting put into team, and doing these challenges, I met other recruits that I’ve never met before. These events like Florida did, you get to bond with the other guys there, and you learn a different side about how the recruiting process can go.”
