The Florida Gators are losing top pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. to the draft which means the Gators have a need for pass rushers in the class of 2015.

While the top two prospects on the board are CeCe Jefferson and Byron Cowart the Gators are also after another speed rusher and he’s South Carolina defensive end commit Quandeski Whitlow (6-4, 228, Opelika, AL High), who has a long relationship with new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins.

“I met Coach Collins last year during a junior day at Mississippi State and ever since then we’ve built a good relationship,” Whitlow said. “He always has a good defense and he was telling me about how much he wanted me. He said that I was one of his first calls when he got to Florida.”

Collins has expressed to Whitlow how much he wants him in Gainesville and also explained how the Gators will use him in the Florida defense.

“Coach Collins was just telling me that he wants to get me in the orange and blue next year,” Whitlow said. “He was telling me that he sees me a speed rusher with my hand on the ground and also playing some in coverage. He said that Florida can help me become a big time player.”

New defensive line coach Terrell Williams was just hired on Saturday and he has already spoken to Whitlow about the need for speed in Gainesville.

“Coach Williams was telling me pretty the same thing about how they need more speed rushers at Florida and how I’m one of the guys he wants,” Whitlow said. “Coach Williams coached one of my favorite players in the NFL Justin Tuck and Coach Williams said that he thinks I have the same type of build as Tuck does and that he thinks I have a future in the NFL.”

Whitlow, who considers himself a big NFL fan, has done his homework on the former Oakland Raiders defensive line coach.

“I’ve been doing a lot of research on Coach Williams and I know that he’s coached a lot of big name players in the past,” Whitlow said. “Like I said he coached my favorite player Justin Tuck so if he can coach him then I know he can help me. Coach Williams knows what it takes to get to the league.

Florida has set itself up for one of Whitlow’s remaining three visits and Whitlow plans to decide on National Signing Day.

“I’m going to Louisville on the 16th and then South Carolina on the 23rd,” Whitlow said. “My last visit is to Florida on January 30th because Florida wanted to get the last from me.”

INSIDERS TAKE: Whitlow seems very high on Florida and I believe if the Gators continue to push for him then Florida has a great shot here. Whitlow says that Coach Collins and Jim McElwain will visit him the week of January 16th so that visit will go a long ways in helping Florida.