2017 linebacker Justin Foster (6-3, 225, Shelby, NC Crest) is considered one of the top linebackers in the country for next year and he has three teams at the top, with the Florida Gators are looming in that group as well.

“Clemson, Tennessee and Oklahoma are the teams standing out to me right now,” Foster said. “I went down to Florida this fall but I plan to get down there soon to check them out again. I want to talk to the coaches there some more.”

Foster is good friends with Florida Gators defensive end Jonathan Bullard and Bullard is telling the linebacker a lot about Florida and Randy Shannon.

“Randy Shannon is the coach that’s recruiting me for Florida,” he said. “It’s great to be recruited by him because he’s a great linebacker coach. Jon Jon [Bullard] has told me a lot about him. He says that he’s a great coach but I don’t really know him that well.”

The Gators haven’t done anything wrong in recruiting Foster, there are just two other schools are just talking to the Crest linebacker more.

“Clemson and Tennessee are recruiting me harder than anyone,” Foster said. “They talk to me almost everyday and then inbox me and stuff like that. They’re getting me to call them and stuff.”

Florida does have Bullard in their corner and he’s trying to get Foster to visit the Gators again to see what campus is like for himself.

“When Jonathan comes home he just says things about Florida to me,” he said. “He told me not to forget about the Gators and to make sure and check them out for a visit. He says to make your own decision though.”

Foster didn’t grow up a fan of the Florida Gators but when Bullard made it down to Gainesville, the linebacker started pulling for the Orange and Blue.

“I wasn’t big on Florida until Jon went there but now he’s down there and he’s doing great,” Foster said on Bullard’s impact. “That helps Florida out some when it comes to making my decision.”

INSIDERS TAKE: Foster says he will take a visit to Florida for junior day and also hopes to visit Alabama for a junior day this spring. Clemson is the leader here but the Gators could turn the heat up on the linebacker soon.