Cleveland recapping his visit:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The services of Tyrie Cleveland are up for grabs as National Signing Day approaches.
Despite being a commitment to Houston (for now), the nation’s No. 2 wide receiver told SEC Country the Cougars have fell off.
“I’m really looking at Florida, TCU and Arkansas,” said Cleveland, who officially visited all three schools this month
The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder from Houston (Texas) Westfield will announce his final decision Wednesday. UF received the last official visit from him this weekend.
“It was a great overall trip,” Cleveland said. “I got to see a lot of stuff and got my questions answered. I also spent a lot of time with the coaches and the people at Florida.
“My favorite part was the introduction they gave everybody coming in. They showed our highlights and coach (Jim) McElwain was there with his wife. There was a lot of love from him and the coaches.”
Cleveland’s biggest question coming into the visit was how the UF staff would use him as a true freshman. He wanted the coaches to “keep it real” with him.
“They did,” Cleveland said. “They told me it’s a step-by-step process, but physically, they said I’m ready to play now.
“It’s just the mental part of the game coming from high school to college that I have to get used to. They need to get me to know the plays and understand everything with the offense. Then I’ll be good to go.”
Cleveland spent the weekend with Gators wide receiver commit Rick Wells, who he attended middle school with in Jacksonville before his move to Texas.
“It was great to reunite with him,” Cleveland said of Wells. “I haven’t seen him since the eighth grade, so meeting up with him again was crazy.
“We had a good time, and I’m looking forward to it. We’ll see if we’re teammates in college, but playing with Rick would be a blessing.”
Cleveland said his aunt, whom he lives with in Houston, was unable to make the trip to Florida. He’s ready to fill her in on UF and then make his college choice, which he reiterated will be up to him.
“I have to go back and give all the information they gave me to her,” Cleveland said. “Hopefully she feels good about it like I do.”