Early Enrollee Q&A: Gators Linebacker Alex Anzalone
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 | Football, Scott Carter
Editor's note: National Signing Day was Wednesday and Gators coach Will Muschamp announced the 2013 recruiting class. Eight members enrolled early and began classes in January. GatorZone.com caught up with the players for a Q&A series.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Alex Anzalone could be the poster boy for college football recruiting in the 21st Century.
A highly recruited inside linebacker out of Wyomissing (Pa.) High, Anzalone was in the public spotlight long before enrolling at UF last month.
He originally committed to Ohio State, later switched to Notre Dame and eventually decided on Florida. Anzalone did all this while keeping an active Twitter account.
You can imagine what that must be like in the rabid online world of college football fans.
Anzalone is listed at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds and was ranked among the top inside linebacker prospects in the nation last season.
Here is our Q&A with Anzalone:
Q: What is the main thing you want to get out of being an early enrollee?
A: I think just getting a head start on everything, just getting used to going to class, getting around campus, workouts, getting coached in spring practice and learning the playbook.
Q: What do you see as your greatest asset coming into the program?
A: I think right now at least I have the size to play and fit in. I think I can keep up with SEC speed. Those are really the main two attributes of my game – my size and speed.
Q: Are you glad you're finally off the stage that comes with being a highly touted recruit?
A: After I switched, I haven't even read anything. At this point I really don't talk to the media too much and have to do articles every day. I'm definitely relieved it's all over with.
Q: In the end why did you pick Florida?
A: I'm most comfortable here. You get a good education but compete for a national championship. There are good people all around the program. The people around the program definitely haven't changed since I've been here. It just means the whole recruiting thing is real when it comes to Florida.
Q: What is something someone doesn't know about you?
A: I could have played Division I lacrosse. I guess that is interesting.
Q: What's the best day you ever had on a football field?
A: When we won the state championship this past year. It was the first state championship in school history and there is no moment like that I've ever had on the field.
Q: I notice you are from Taylor Swift's hometown; do you know her?
A: I have friends who are family friends with them. I don't really see her -- when she was younger, yeah, but not after she became famous.
Q: What's a goal you have for spring football?
A: My goal is just to get acclimated to the players here and the speed of the game and really just getting coached up and learn the playbook.
