Last year Florida was heavily involved with five-star cornerback Woodny Turenne and would have likely landed the nation's top junior college prospect had his transcripts been in order. This year the Gators are once again returning to Visalia (Calif.) College of the Sequoias with their eyes on one of the top corners in the nation.
5-foot-11, 175-pound Traye Simmons is rated a four-star prospect by Rivals.com and his name should be seen near the top when the JUCO rankings are released by the network.
The ranking is well deserved according to Giants' recruiting coordinator Andy Siegel, "He is a great player. Solid technique with a very good work ethic. He is a cover guy similar to last years Woodny Tureene, but he is a little more physical.
"Maybe doesn't have as much top end speed as Woodny but still very fast."
While Florida has several young stars at the position, they wouldn't mind adding a more experienced player to the mix.
"Urban Meyer called him two weeks ago and he has been talking to Chuck Heater," said Siegel. "He loves the Gators."
While as of Saturday, Simmons had yet to schedule an official visit, according to a report from JCGridiron.com Publisher Brad Hoiseth, Simmons could be going somewhere later this month.
"I got an offer last week from Florida," Simmons said. "My coaches informed me that they had offered. I called coach Heater and they said they are trying to set up a visit for later this month, September 29.
"It is going to be either Florida or Cal," Simmons replied when asked where he will visit at the end of September.
As of today, Florida is just one of the many programs pursuing Simmons according to Siegel.
"The colleges interested that I know of are: North Carolina, Cal, Southern Cal, Florida, Texas Tech, Middle Tennessee State, Clemson, Kansas State and Hawaii," said Siegel. "He will go to the best school and playing situation for him. I think he would like to get closer to home (Ga.)."
Simmons, who originally singed with Memphis coming out of high school, is a December graduate.