Florida will receive National Letters of Intent throughout the day today, but the Gators’ coaches won’t need them for some. Six players, including Hallandale CB Willie Bailey, have enrolled early and are officially Gators. So here’s a look back at some high school highlights from Bailey, who has been on campus since early January.
Willie Bailey, CB, Hallandale
6-foot-1, 180 pounds
Buzz: The experience of fellow Hallandale product Frankie Hammond Jr., a redshirt junior receiver on the team, helped Bailey pick the Gators after he originally committed to Miami. Bailey originally committed to Al Golden’s staff, but credited his relationships with the Gators’ coaches in swaying his decision. That includes receivers coach Aubrey Hill, who is responsible for recruiting South Florida and held the same position as WR coach and recruiting coordinator at Miami before coming to UF.
Hallandale coach Dameon Jones praised Bailey not only for his size and speed, but also for his work ethic. Arriving on campus early should help him adjust and be more prepared for the 2012 season.
“He can run and he was tall. He was like 6-1, but he ran like he was 5-8 and you don’t see that often. He can stick a smaller receiver and move like they move,” said Jones. “It’s crazy how he moves and his hips and his feet. By his junior year, it was ridiculous.
“He dares you to go at him.”
