Rising star considers Florida commitment

There may not be a lot of people nationally that know the name Louchiez Purifoy out of Pensacola (Fla.) Pine Forest. With offers from the likes of Troy, Southern Miss, South Alabama and UAB, he had yet to build a national reputation. That began to change very quickly after Purifoy clocked a 4.38 40-yard dash time at Florida's camp recently. Shortly thereafter, Purifoy picked up a Florida offer and with Urban Meyer's stamp of approval, his reputation is sure to grow.

On Tuesday, Purifoy visited the Florida campus with his mother, her boyfriend, and a coach and rumors circulated about a possible commitment. Though that commitment never came, the visit certainly left a strong impression.

"It went good," Purifoy said following the trip. "I was walking around the facilities a little bit and they showed me around the places and I got to talk to Coach Urban Meyer. He said he likes me and he thinks I'm a good kid and said that the coaches like what I did at their camp and that hopefully I'll be a big part of their team."

The conversation with Coach Meyer as well and the things that Purifoy saw were all positives for the Florida program.

"I was impressed," he said. "They've got a lot of ways to help you. There's a place where your tutors are and Coach Urban Meyer, he talks to you about how you want things down and makes you feel like you're at home. It was really exciting. It was a dream come true, that's the only way I can sum it up."

Being recruited by the team he grew up watching has already been a special experience for Purifoy and though he thought about a commitment he wasn't quite ready to make a decision. There is no mistaking who is leader is though.

"I considered committing but I didn't," he said. "I'm going to wait on it. I just really have to go talk to my mom a little bit more about it. They're my top school. I'm just seeing how things play out right now."

The big versatile athlete is being recruited by Florida to play cornerback despite playing several positions on the high school level and rushing for over 10 yards per carry as a junior.

When it does come time for him to make a decision, the education side will play as big of a role as any factor and that is one area that Florida also enjoys an edge.

"I'm looking at just how the classes are," he said. "[Florida] has a big medical school and that's what I'm looking at because I want to be a physical therapist so that puts them over the edge right now. It's a decision I want to take my time with."