TE Calls Gators 'Top One' Following Florida Official Visit

Photo: Florida tight ends coach Russ Callaway; Credit: Zach Goodall

Elmhurst (Ill.) Immaculate Conception tight end Eric Karner deemed Florida as one of his top five schools on May 11, despite having never visited the program at that point.

Following his first trip to Gainesville, Fla. as a recruit, on an official basis from June 9-11, the Gators have climbed even higher in the talented prospect's personal school rankings.

"It really bumped them. They're probably at the top right now, after this visit," Karner told All Gators on Sunday. "That's top one right now. It just felt like family. That's really big for me, just that feeling like, this is home. I love the atmosphere around here, it was just great.

"Right now it's a big lead. I still have to think about some things but, you know, this was a really good first impression for them."

Head coach Billy Napier and recently-promoted tight ends coach Russ Callaway, in particular, forged a bond with Karner that provided him immediate comfort in a potential move south for college.

Karner complimented the coaches and their assistants for their tours of campus and insight provided regarding academics, strength and nutrition, meetings and practice scheduling and other aspects of student-athlete life at UF.

Callaway proceeded to offer Karner a projection for his role within the Gators' offense if he were to sign with Florida, one that would primarily utilize his strengths as a pass-catcher.

"Coach Russ is amazing. The way they run their offense, he was talking to me about how that fits me and my playstyle, which was amazing and I think it correlates to how I play, which is a big factor for me," Karner explained.

"More like an H-back. I could do both but more of a receiver, so I would be out wide, stuff like that. But if I need to get down on the line, I can also block. They run a lot of stuff, the tight ends can be very versatile."

Karner didn't just take the coaches' word on the benefits of teaming up with the Gators. Quarterback Jack Miller III and edge rusher Jack Pyburn were influential as Karner's player hosts for the weekend, sharing their opinion that the family-like environment extends beyond official visit weekends and is rooted in the team's culture.

"They said [the coaches are] real genuine. They're like, 'When you get here and you experience it as a recruit, that's exactly what you get as a player too,' " Karner recalled his conversations with Miller and Pyburn. "So that's also big for me, because I don't want it to be, like, a stunt, and then I come in and I don't talk to the coaches.

"They said they have relationships with all the coaches. They'll go talk to them in their offices, which is real big for me because I'm a big relationship person. I feel like that's what builds up a team."

Florida grasped the lead within Karner's recruitment as the second program he has officially visited, having first traveled to Michigan State from June 2-4. Karner plans to officially visit Texas A&M from June 16-18 and Iowa from June 23-25.

Karner intends to finalize his college decision shortly following those trips.

"I'm trying to make my decision as soon as my last official," Karner stated. "Probably the week after."

Karner, 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, is considered the No. 28 tight end and No. 564 overall prospect in the class of 2024 by the 247Sports composite rankings. In 19 games across two varsity seasons, he has accumulated 20 receptions for 324 yards and seven touchdowns, per MaxPreps.

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