Gators, Huskers battling for Georgia DE

A parade of coaches came through Loganville (Ga.) Grayson High during the spring, many of them to get a closer look a three-star defensive end Mykelle McDaniel. While the list is too long to name, one program made an impression on McDaniel by making multiple stops.

"A lot of schools came by but Florida came by more than once," he said. "It means a lot, the more coaches show up and come to see me. The first time he showed up I wasn't padded up at all, like I said. The second time he showed up I'm padded up, and actually got to show him what I can do."

The man McDaniel is referencing is new Gators defensive line coach Chris Rumph. McDaniel said the two are building a relationship and Rumph has a clear vision for McDaniel's potential fit in the team's defense.

"They see me as an outside rusher," McDaniel said. "He's told me what he feels like he can do with me if I came there and I like the way he coaches."

Both Florida and Rumph have a track record of putting players in the NFL, another thing that weighs on McDaniel's mind.

"That's always appealing, to know that they have attention from NFL scouts and stuff like," McDaniel said. "But I feel like if you give me the chance on the field, I'll produce my numbers to get NFL scouts no matter where I go. So yeah, it plays a factor, but I feel like I'll get mine no matter where I am."

Another school heavily in the mix to land McDaniel is Nebraska. The Huskers also checked on him this spring and have the advantage of McDaniel's friend and former teammate Mohamed Barry already on board in Lincoln.

"Mohamed has really been talking to me about joining him out there," McDaniel said. "Him and Coach Bray are both telling me it's a special place and that we can do big things there."

Barry, who is known for his outgoing personality, hasn't minced words when it comes to recruiting his friend.

"He feels like us going up there together would be an amazing combination on defense," Barry said. "He knows the type of attitude I have and the type of player I am; I'm very emotional, and he feels like they can embrace that. Instead of trying to cover it up and change me, they'll embrace it. We play the same way, so if Mohamed sees something in a school, obviously I need to see something in the school. So that's the only reason I'm actually paying attention."

McDaniel said he's working on a visit to get to know more about Lincoln, and the Huskers new coaching staff.

"Coach Bray has been the only one I've really been in contact with," McDaniel said. "He's my recruiting coach but I haven't been up there yet to meet all of them so I want to do that soon."

McDaniel also said South Carolina remains in the mix.

"I've always liked South Carolina and my former teammate Daniel Fennell is there," McDaniel said. "He has told me the same thing as far as playing time at defensive lineman and coaching to develop me to go to the next level."

McDaniel has been coy about his visit schedule, but has a number of trips coming up, including a trip to Florida on Sunday.

"I want to take a lot of visits, Nebraska, South Carolina, Florida State, LSU," McDaniel said. "I'll probably know where I want to commit before the season."