DL Malik Blocton Recaps 'More Personal' Second Visit to Florida
Pike Road (Ala.) product Malik Blocton occupies one of the top spots on the Gators' defensive line board in the 2024 class.
On Friday, he traveled to Florida's campus for the second time this year, getting a closer look at what the program offered after being introduced initially alongside a bevy of his Alabama cohorts in January.
The staff made another strong impression on Blocton in his return visit, positioning them well in a tight race for his services.
"It was fun, and it was more personal because, like, when I first got up there on Friday, I was there by myself," he shared with All Gators on Sunday. "So, I got to take pictures and all that stuff by myself. I went through the academic stuff; I went through all that myself. It was just me and my coach.
"So, it was a real good visit."
His last trek to UF, which he deemed his "favorite visit" to that point when he spoke with AG in late February, established the face-to-face foundation for his relationship with defensive line coach Sean Spencer and positional assistant Kali James Jr.
It's continued to grow since then as he's remained in consistent contact with each.
"Our relationship has always been strong," he said about Spencer specifically. "He's always texting and calling me, checking up on me. When I went up there, he was really just trying to tell me how I would fit into their defense. You know, he could move me around since I'm a very versatile player."
This time, he saw the duo in action as he attended the spring practice session on Saturday.
He walked away impressed with the energy the two instructed with.
"Coach Spencer and coach James had a lot of energy and I felt like, they really care for their players and they want the best out of them," he said. "A bunch of energy, a bunch of juice and you can tell they really love their players and they love what they do. They love their job."
The genuineness — which Florida has prided itself on in the Billy Napier era — shining through can go a long way in attracting high-level talent to Gainesville.
If he chose Florida, Blocton would provide coveted positional flexibility to the DL group. Spencer continued selling him on that point in his latest trip to Gainesville, sharing two current players who occupy different spots with similar traits.
To Blocton's understanding, that entails time on the interior or exterior of the defensive tranches, depending on the situation and play call. With the aggressive approach of newly anointed offensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, the 6-foot-3, 255-pounder feels confident with his potential fit.
"I love it," he said about the defensive philosophy. "[Coach Armstrong] might be one of the smartest defensive minds in the game, and he's only 29."
When he eventually decides on the school he wants to attend to continue his career and education, the talented defensive line prospect will bring a bevy of attributes to the table. Through his lens, the versatility and well-versed background of operating on the defensive line he carries is only the tip of the iceberg for what he can provide on and off the field at the next level.
"I consider myself a really smart football player," he said. "Like, one of my coaches, been coaching for a long time, told me that I was one of the smartest football players he's ever been around."
Blocton had the praise for his high football IQ affirmed during a visit to Auburn in the early stage of his recruitment, as he talked with then-defensive line coach Nick Eason, who now occupies the same spot at Clemson.
"He put me on the board, and he told me to write some plays so he can explain to me what this was and what that was," Blocton recalled. "He made me draw out what he was saying. I did it, and he told me what I just did, some people that are in college and going to the NFL can't even do it. So, I really feel like I'm a really smart football player."
Blocton's next step will be trimming his 33-team offer sheet to ten this week. However, his evident liking for Florida bodes well for the Gators to remain a contender moving forward.
He's expecting to officially visit UF over the summer and looks to return one more time before then this spring.
If the Gators can land Blocton, he would surely aid the unit as it continues the journey of bolstering talent and depth after growing bare under the previous regime.
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