Gators high on LB Stewart

Middletown (Conn.) Xavier outside linebacker Graham Stewart has had an exciting week to say the least.

The 6-foot-1, 216-pound prospect has been regarded as one of the region's top players at his position for a long time but recently the recruiting process has soared to an entirely new level.

Stewart's performance at Friday Night Lights down in Gainesville was a big reason for that.

"I felt like I did really well," Stewart said of his Friday Night Lights performance. "I felt like I did really well. The coaches told me I did really well. I saw on Rivals where they posted a bunch of articles and had me as one of the top performers.

"Florida said they're going to offer me. I'm just waiting for the official papers. I've been in contact with them a lot. I went down a couple of weeks prior to that and went to a camp in the Swamp. I tested really well then. I talked to coach (D.J.) Durkin and became good friends with him. We talk about every week."

Stewart said it's exciting that the Gators would offer him a scholarship, and needless to say, it's something he will take very seriously.

"I feel like it's a great honor," he said of the offer. "They've been the most successful program (lately) and they only want the best guys. You've got to feel good if they even just approach you to be one of their players."

Stewart said he has just been spending time at home over the past couple of days. He will make at least one more trip before his senior season begins.

"I think I might take a trip to Iowa," he said. "They've been recruiting me really hard. I'll have a couple of tickets to go see games there if I want to when school starts back up in September."