The Florida Gators are continuing to focus on putting together their 2023 recruiting class. They recently landed a PWO JUCO defensive tackle commit in Keenan Landry, who currently attends Mississippi Gulf Coast College, the same school that produced current UF LB Diwun Black.
I was able to sit down with Landry and go a little more in depth with him about why he chose Florida and what he wants to accomplish during his time in Gainesville.
Anthony Beck: So I know you had a couple offers coming out of high school, but ended up going the JUCO route. Then after a year at Mississippi Gulf Coast you had a couple of scholarship offers. What made Florida's opportunity as a preferred walk on the right choice for you as opposed to accepting a scholarship offer somewhere else?
Keenan Landry: I mean, pretty much the whole environment. When I stepped on Florida’s campus, it's just like everyone approached me as like I was a family member. Everyone knew me from the coaches to the trainers to the people up in the office, like the cameraman. Everyone knew my name, and that just really separated them from everybody else. Talking to Coach Spence, he coached in the NFL. Just having a guy like that that I could be around each and every day that coached at the highest level as possible, that's what I need to be around as far as putting myself on another pedigree as a football player.
Landry only spent one year at the JUCO level. Which means he still have four years of eligibility remaining, three of which can be spent on the field.
Being from Jennings (La.) Landry was already familiar with Coach Napier and a lot of the staff that he brought over with him from UL to Gainesville. That certainly helped when it came time for Landry to make a decision on where he would continue his college education and playing career.
KL: Most of those guys, they pretty much knew me my whole high school career, being a highly recruited guy in the area help build relationships that lasted longer than just high school. So I'm glad that they remembered me and kept on recruiting me in JUCO.
AB: Who was it from Florida's staff that extended that preferred walk-on offer to you?
KL: It was Coach Vallot and Coach Spence.
AB: What did Coach Spence and Coach Napier tell you that they liked about your game and how they see you fitting in Florida's defense when you get there?
KL: So basically, I would be the nose guard. They see me as an SEC type of guy. I’m young, I’m coming to learn and I’m from JUCO, and I have some grit to me. I'll never run for competition, and they understand that I'm ready to be put in the fire, just learning for the best.
AB: And do you know when you're going to be able to enroll in Florida?
KL: Definitely the summertime, around there, but I'm not exactly sure. It definitely has to be after my semester is over.
AB: And then just last question for you, man. For those that aren't familiar with your game, what kind of player is Florida getting in you?
KL: Definitely a run dominant player. That's my main goal, just dominate the run and I would love to get my pass rushing game up and that'll make me a more versatile player, a three down guy. I don't like coming off the field much, so hopefully I can go there, learn a couple of new moves and take my game to the next level.
My takeaway from talking to Keenan is that he’s gonna come in and work hard to earn a spot in the defensive line rotation. He’s a great person and seems like he’s a leader by example. I believe he’s definitely gonna be very successful both on and off the field during his time at UF as well as after. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.
Stay tuned to Stadium And Gale for more on the Florida Gators.
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