Florida visit will be key in Mikes decision

Andrew Mike isn't into building drama. He's not setting an announcement date and doesn't plan to have a formal ceremony. Instead, the Tucson (Ariz.) Sabino tackle plans to make a verbal commitment when things "feel right."

And if that happens while he's on his Jan. 24 official visit to Florida, so be it. The 6-foot-7 tackle certainly isn't ruling out an on-the-spot commitment in Gainesville. That much is certain.

"It's possible," Mike said on Wednesday. "It's definitely possible. The visit is a big part of everything. We'll see how it goes."

Then, this whole Florida thing is relatively new. Mike had previously narrowed his focus to include only Vanderbilt, Washington and Arizona. But coaching changes struck, and things were thrown of out sorts from there. Now days, Mike's recruitment is open. The Gators slid right through the door.

"I had been in contact with Coach [Coleman] Hutzler the week before the offer came," Mike said. "We had been talking on Facebook. Then I called him and he put me on with the head coach. He told me why they liked me and what the school was about. Then they offered me. It's really an offer to have an offer from Florida, knowing the tradition of the program.

"Feeling it out on the trip is really important to my decision."

Mike isn't settled in on the Gators by any means. He does not come out and name them the frontrunner or even hint that his recruitment has become a one-team race. Arkansas, Arizona and a host of other schools are still in the running.

These days, Mike isn't comfortable rattling off a pecking order. Too much has changed too quickly. His lesson has been learned.

"I really opened it up after the Vanderbilt coach and the Washington coach left," Mike said. "Now I'm looking at everyone again."

A three-star prospect, Mike is ranked as the No. 61 tackle in America.