One-on-One: Gators Early Enrollee Daniel Imatorbhebhe
Thursday, January 29, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – He sits alone in the players' lounge, chuckling at Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch's answers at Super Bowl Media Day on the TV screen.
Seattle is his team and Lynch is one of his favorite players. There was a time when Daniel Imatorbhebhe strongly considered going to the University of California, Lynch's alma mater. He made an official visit and two other trips.
Lynch wasn't the reason though. Imatorbhebhe was born in Los Angeles and lived in Southern California until his family moved to the Atlanta area when he was in third grade. He still has family in California.
“I love it there,'' he said.
When it was time to make his decision on a school, the 6-foot-3, 212-pound tight end from North Gwinnett (Ga.) High instead chose Florida. History will show that Imatorbhebhe was the first official commitment that new Gators head coach Jim McElwain received after taking over the program.
Imatorbhebhe signed soon afterward and is one of two scholarship players who enrolled early this spring, joining Neptune Beach Fletcher receiver Kalif Jackson.
Imatorbhebhe weighed his options carefully and Florida offered everything he wanted, including the opportunity for his family to be involved. If he had moved across country to attend Cal, that would not have been the case. Florida's coaching change was not enough to sway him from the Gators.
“You never really want to make a decision based on the coaches, because it is a business. They will be here today and gone tomorrow,” Imatorbhebhe said. “I have to say that it's not too close and it's not too far away from home. My family can still be a part of everything I'm doing. I know that's huge for them, to be here when we do the Gator Walk, to be able to see my games.”
Family is important to Imatorbhebhe, who spent the last three seasons playing alongside one of his three brothers.
So is the college experience.
Imatorbhebhe plans to major in industrial and systems engineering at UF. When his football career is over, Imatorbhebhe already has visions of his future work.
“Ever since I've been young I have liked to figure out how things work and why they work the way they do, and combining that with my other passion of helping people out,'' he said. “That is the best mix I can find. I remember back to my times when I was young at Universal and Disney and I was in awe of everything that was going on around me.
“If I can add to that experience for somebody else, making the lines run smoother, making the rides run better, I would find a great joy in doing that.”
Speaking in a calm tone and deep voice, Imatorbhebhe comes across as wise for his years. His hobbies include reading, exploring nature and quality time with those closest to him.
He wanted to enroll early to get a head start in class and on the field, where he offers a mixture of size, speed and athletic ability at a position Florida has lacked significant production at the past couple of seasons.
In his short time on campus, Imatorbhebhe has tried to get to know his new teammates and his way around campus.
He is in awe once again the way he used to be as a kid walking around Universal and Disney.
“Everybody says it's the best four years of your life,'' Imatorbhebhe said. “Nobody ever forgets their college years.”
An added bonus: his life is beyond the recruiting cycle. He took a different approach than many young players in the spotlight for the first time.
“I wasn't really big into the whole 'it's about me.' When I used to get offers I wouldn't even Tweet about it,'' he said. “I have a great opportunity in front of me. That doesn't mean I should conduct myself any differently or feel as if I'm entitled to something. I was really glad when it was over because then the reporters stop calling you, the coaches stop blowing up your phone.
“You just have time to live in the moment and without thinking you are owed something by society.”
