'Priority' DL Malik Blocton Planning Return Visit to Florida
Photo: Malik Blocton; Credit: Zach Goodall
Following one of the "favorite visits" of his recruitment so far, Pike Road (Ala.) High 2024 defensive lineman Malik Blocton plans to return to Florida for an unofficial visit in April, he shared with All Gators at the Under Armour All-America camp outside of Atlanta on Sunday.
While Blocton has yet to lock in a specific date for the trek, he's looking forward to it after quickly establishing a strong bond with defensive line coach Sean Spencer and DL assistant Kali James the last time he was in town, on Jan. 21.
"It was amazing," Blocton said of his January trip to The Swamp. "Coach Spencer and coach James were right there with me the whole time. They made me feel like I was a priority for them and they made me feel like I was one of their top guys."
Blocton came away impressed by Spencer's talent development résumé, highlighted by former Penn State linebacker and current Dallas Cowboys All-Pro Micah Parsons in a meeting where the group went over the prospect's fit with the Gators.
"I mean, seeing the people he's coached like Micah Parsons and stuff like that. He really knows what he's talking about," Blocton described of Spencer. "We sat down and we had a meeting, showing what type of defense they're going to run and how they're gonna use me.
"So I mean, I really know that he knows what he doing and I'd be in good hands with him."
According to Blocton, Spencer and James envision the 6-foot-3, 270-pound recruit as a versatile lineman who can earn snaps at several positions at the next level.
Aligning anywhere from defensive end to nose tackle for Pike Road, Blocton has tallied 109 tackles, eight sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries across 29 varsity appearances. He produced a breakout, six-sack campaign in 2022.
Blocton has demonstrated the ability to effectively set the edge against the run and apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks, per Spencer and James' evaluation.
"They like the way I can stop the run and rush the passer," Blocton said. "I can play all three downs, I'm not just a one-trick-pony. [I would] move around. I asked coach Spencer, he was talking about how I'm going to end up playing everything."
Blocton is considered the No. 59 defensive lineman in the class of 2024 per the 247 Sports composite rankings. He's pulled in SEC offers from Alabama, Texas A&M and Ole Miss since his January trip to Florida, and is up to 32 offers in total.
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