Defensive end Antonneous Clayton (6-4, 218, Vienna, GA Dooly County) is one of the Florida Gators’ top targets and he spoke to Gator Country about his unofficial visit to see the Gators when they defeated Tennessee last month.

“It went really good, I got the chance to catch up with some of the recruits and a lot of the players during the game,” Clayton said of his visit for the Tennessee game. “I also got to catch up with a lot of the commits that are going to Florida and I was able to experience what it’s really like down there on game day.”

Clayton, who doesn’t do many interviews, talked up the game day atmosphere of the Swamp a lot during his interview with Gator Country.

“I was blown away by that atmosphere, it was truly amazing,” he said. “They exceeded my expectations during the visit and I didn’t expect it be like that. It was different from watching it on TV then actually being there and experiencing it.”

Head coach Jim McElwain has taken a key role in recruiting Clayton for the Florida Gators and McElwain has been explaining that Clayton is needed in Gainesville.

“I talked to all of the coaches during that visit and I talk to all of them still,” Clayton said. “Coach McElwain has been telling me that he has a huge need for pass rushers with my ability at Florida. He said that for me to come there would be a huge get and uplift for their program.”

McElwain explained that Clayton is a guy that can play as a true freshman and Clayton was excited to hear such a statement from the head coach of the Florida Gators.

“Coach McElwain said that I can come in and contribute as a pass rusher with my talent,” he said. “Coach said that he needs more pass rushers at Florida and that he will play freshmen if they earn the job. That was nice to hear from the head coach.”

Clayton is also very close with Florida Gators defensive line coach Chris Rumph and Clayton had a pretty good description on what Rumph is like.

“Coach Rumph is Coach Rumph and that’s about all I can say about him,” Clayton said. “He’s always pumped about everything and I have great relationship with him. We are really good.”

Last week Florida defensive coordinator Geoff Collins paid Clayton a visit at his game on Friday night and he left a message with Clayton’s coach that made the defensive end pretty happy.

“Coach Collins visited me on Friday for my game and he was watching me in pre-game,” he said. “He told my coach that he wished that I was already in the Orange and Blue playing for him. It was pretty nice to see him out there and he’s a pretty pumped up guy. He’s a really good guy and he loves to have fun.”

When Clayton isn’t visiting a school, he usually is watching a lot of games on Saturday and he says that he has noticed a few things about the Florida Gators this year.

“The defense as a whole is good, but they have a senior on the defensive line and Vernon is going to go to the draft,” Clayton said. “So they are going to need some guys to step up for them so it’s just a huge opportunity to contribute to the team as a true freshman. Playing as a true freshman is definitely something I noticed. Who wouldn’t want to play as a true freshman?”

A few weeks ago Clayton made news by naming the Florida Gators his leader and he explains why exactly the Gators sit atop his list.

“Florida is my leader because of the relationship I have with the players and the coaches,” he said. “Also because of how me and my family felt when we went down there. It felt like home and felt like I was supposed to be there. Having those events happen were huge and a change of mind for me.”

Despite naming a new leader in the Florida Gators Clayton hasn’t shut down his recruitment just yet. He will, however, make two trips down to see the Gators in the coming months.

“I’m still open and everything but when I go to Florida, they are the only thing on mind,” Clayton said. “I have set up a couple of official visits and I will take my official to Florida on November 21st. I’m going to be in Jacksonville for Florida’s game against Georgia.”

INSIDERS TAKE: Clayton says that he will announce his decision at the Under Armour All-American game or National Signing Day, but right now I feel like Florida is the team to beat with Florida State and Auburn still lurking. The key for the Gators will be to continue to get him on campus and make him feel wanted.