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Florida coach Jim McElwain high on Tampa talent

 
Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain is seen during an open practice the day before the SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. The Florida Gators kick off against the Alabama Crimson Tide at 4 p.m. tomorrow.
Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain is seen during an open practice the day before the SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. The Florida Gators kick off against the Alabama Crimson Tide at 4 p.m. tomorrow.
Published April 28, 2016

TAMPA — Florida coach Jim McElwain's speaking tour across the state included a stop Wednesday at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay and plenty of praise for one of his program's most important cities.

"I'll tell you what's pretty cool, though, is the championship game being right here in Tampa," McElwain said of January's national title game at Raymond James Stadium. "You talk about a great city and what the Bolts are doing right now. This is sports heaven, right here in Tampa."

McElwain said there's "nothing new" on the status of receiver Antonio Callaway and quarterback Treon Harris, who remain suspended by the university for unspecified reasons, but former five-star offensive lineman Martez Ivey has started to do modified weightlifting as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.

Before addressing the Gators clubs of Tampa and Pinellas, McElwain touched on several other topics in a chat with reporters:

On the importance of Tampa Bay in recruiting: "It's arguably the closest major city. … The ease of these people's friends, family being able to get to the Swamp, them being able to get home easily. Obviously for us it's first and foremost. We try to do as good a job as we can do to our surrounding areas, and try to get the ones that fit for us and fit for them."

On catching up in recruiting: "A lot of that has to do with a lot of the things we've put in motion that people were beating us up over. They wrote articles down here about guys that wouldn't come because of our facilities, right? Well we're answering those. That's an exciting that our administration understands how far behind we are, and they're willing to do something about it. …"

On renewing the rivalry with Miami: (for the recently announced 2019 season opener) "It isn't like we're going to dodge anybody. Yet I think it's a great game for the state. Playing it in Orlando is an opportunity for people from a lot different areas to get there."

On early tests against marquee opponents: (like the 2017 opener against Michigan) "I think what it does is it sends a little bit of a message to your team. There isn't a preseason, right? I believe it heightens your sense of urgency and what you do over the summer, knowing that that game is looming. And yet you can't just worry about that game, because you've got to worry about what you do today to get ready for that game. That's the mind-set we're trying to get across. … We'll do whatever. I know this: We'll be there. We're not going for a participation ribbon."

On the draft: (specifically, possibility of the Bucs drafting ex-UF and Wharton High cornerback Vernon Hargreaves) "That would be awesome for him, him playing here. … I think it's just great. And yet, wherever he goes, I do know this: He's going to be successful. The guy's a talented, talented guy and did a lot for our football team. Anywhere he goes, I know he's going to be successful."

On social media: "We've had a lot of people come in and obviously do some seminars with our team, including people from the National Football League. … Be proud of your brand, and build your brand. Use it as a platform to help you and not hurt you. Obviously there's a lot of things out there that you put a question mark. In our case, the choice and the decision, is that something we want in our program or associated with the University of Florida?"

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On what fans ask him about the most: "That's a tough one — probably the kicker (mid-year enrollee Eddy Pineiro). It's the first time in the history of ball that it's been led with kicker and not quarterback."

Contact Matt Baker at mbaker@tampabay.com. Follow @MBakerTBTimes.