Kirby with Offer and Will Visit UF

The Florida Gators will be in search of linebackers in the class of 2012 and getting a hard hitting, play making, intelligent backer like Raphael Kirby is something that seems to be what they would like to do. A scholarship offer last week and a subsequent visit next weekend means both sides are pretty receptive at this point. Kirby talks about what is going on with his recruitment right now.

It has been fast and furious in regards to Florida and Raphael Kirby. The 6-2, 218 pound bone crusher is taking advantage of the offer and making a quick visit to Gainesville with some teammates.

“Monday night I was informed I had an offer, then on Tuesday I talked to my coach and he told me I did, Kirby told Scout.com. “I talked to Coach Muschamp on Tuesday. They said they like my quickness and me being able to play sideline to sideline. I play with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement and I don’t take any plays off.”

Florida signed one linebacker in the 2011 class and he appears to be headed inside. They will look to land inside and outside guys in the 2012 class.

“They are recruiting me as an outside linebacker, I can play WILL or SAM,” Kirby said. “In high school I play all of them, I start inside and move outside. Most schools are telling me outside linebacker. I don’t care, I just love hitting people.”

Kirby will be visiting Florida this weekend and with a 3.4 core GPA, the school itself will factor greatly when it comes down to his final program of choice. He says he will choose between a major in Architectural Engineering, Biology, or Business.

“I am coming down on the 19th of February,” he said. “I just want to see the environment, I want a competitive environment. My education comes first and want to see some of that…it will be a huge part of choosing where I want to go. I know Florida has a great school.”

Originally from South Georgia and the Albany area, Kirby played the last few seasons at Parkview in Lilburn. He has three offers right now from Florida, USF, and Southern Miss and says he won’t be influenced by any previous school favorites.

“I was always a band wagon fan,” he said. “I liked Miami for a while, but jumped on the band wagon of a lot of teams… School comes first and what program that fits best for me. I want to see what the team has to offer as far as playing time and the competition level.“

The Stephenson group will be traveling around and visiting a lot of programs this off-season…Florida will be next. “As a team we are going to make our rounds and see the different schools,” he said. “We are excited to see Florida.”