Help is on the way for Florida’s struggling passing attack. The Gators landed a commitment from athletic tight end DeAndre Goolsby (Derby, Kan./Derby) on Friday afternoon in a ceremony at his school.
Goolsby chose Florida over offers from Kansas State, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Ohio State. The three-star tight end took official visits to all five of his finalists before announcing his decision.
Florida has had essentially no production from tight ends this season. In fact, Florida’s tight ends have combined for two catches for only 13 yards. As a junior, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound athlete made 42 receptions for 605 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Goolsby, with added bulk and proper coaching, has a chance to develop into a productive target for the Florida offense.
"Goolsby is a good prospect who can eventually offer some versatility in how [he's] utilized and be a productive receiving target,” his Recruiting Nation scouting report reads. “[He] should also be a good special-teams contributor. We don't see an immediate contributor as he needs to develop further physically and his ability to contribute will be limited until he strengthens his game as a blocker, but he has good ability and displays upside to be a good player at the next level.”
The Gators have 15 commitments, including nine ranked in the ESPN 300. Florida has offensive skilled position commitments from No. 2 dual-threat quarterback Will Grier (Davidson, N.C./Davidson), No. 4 running back Dalvin Cook (Miami/Central) and No. 2 wide receiver Ermon Lane (Homestead, Fla./Homestead). Goolsby could become another weapon the Gators can utilize beginning in 2014.
Goolsby joins three-star prospect C’yontai Lewis (Tuscaloosa, Ala./Northridge) as Florida tight end commits. Current Florida tight end Colin Thompson has a chronic foot injury, second-year tight end Kent Taylor has not played a down this season and the Gators' two other tight ends -- Tevin Westbrook and Clay Burton -- are converted defensive players.
Both Lewis and Goolsby will have a chance to work their way into Florida’s tight end rotation.
