Last weekend the Florida Gators had a big piece of its 2017 recruiting class on campus for the first time, despite him already committing.

A smiling Jim McElwain met defensive tackle Jordon Scott (6-1, 345, Largo, FL Pinellas Park) and his family when they visited on Saturday.

“It was one of the best days of my life,” Scott said of the Florida visit. “It was an amazing time and I was one of the first people and athletes to be able to go in the new academic center. When I talked to Coach Mac he acted like he knew more than just as a football player, and when I first got there Coach Doug Nussmeier greeted my family and made them feel important and that was very important to me.”

Scott was expecting to see the Gators’ facilities, but he was shocked when he got the chance to go into Florida’s new academic center.

“I got to see everything during the trip,” he said. “The new academic center is going to be crazy and it’s only going to be six months old when I get there so they should be able to get all of the bugs out by then. I didn’t know much about it and some the things they have in there is crazy.”

When Scott entered the academic center he was treated to a lot of surprises and things the family didn’t expect to see.

“They have a kitchen in there to show us how to cook stuff so we don’t have to leave the dorms if we don’t want too,” Scott said of the new academic center. “On the other side there is a Gatorade fuel up station with the protein shakes and the snacks set up for us. It’s set up so we have just walk over there from studying to get it.”

After touring the campus Scott went into the Gators coaches’ offices where he was greeted by his area recruiter and then defensive line coach Chris Rumph.

“When I first got there I spoke to Coach Nussmeier and then Coach Rumph pulled me into his office,” Scott said of his interaction with the coaches. “We watched some film from the FSU game and we were just going over schemes. He was asking me questions about formations and what we call them in high school compared to what they call them. He was quizzing me on stuff.”

Saturday was the first time for Scott to meet McElwain and the introduction went as the defensive tackle had expected it go from previous conversations.

“Coach Mac was like that he was happy that I was a part of the family and that he’s been waiting on this moment for awhile now,” he said of McElwain’s message. “Really he was just talking to my parents because I’ve been talking to him on the phone before. He was answering their questions and they got all of their questions answered.”

Before Saturday Scott called himself a solid commit to the Gators class and Florida didn’t nothing but strength’s its lead for the tackle.

“This visit helped Florida out and made me like them more,” Scott said. “I’m a Gator and I’m waiting until January when my report date is. I still got to get prepared and finish my high school career but I’m looking forward to getting there.”

The defensive tackle described his time in a way that showed emotion but Scott says his parents were even happier about things in Gainesville.

“The Swamp was everything I imagined it to be and more, my family was impressed too,” he said of his reaction to everything at Florida. “That’s probably the happiest that I’ve ever seen my mom and the most I’ve ever seen my dad smile ever. They liked the new academic center too.”

Before Scott got on campus there was news made last week when Florida added JUCO defensive tackle Javier Edwards to the class. Scott isn’t worried about the addition, but is happy to see another tackle in the class.

“We haven’t talked yet but I look forward to talking to him,” he said. “I’m happy that we got him because anytime we can someone who is good and can help us win then it’s always a plus. He’s going to allow us to do more on defense.

INSIDERS TAKE: Scott is the model for the phrase “student-athlete,” as he carries a high GPA. Seeing the academic center was a key for him and his family. The Gators have a solid commit in Scott who will help them in recruiting in 2017 and beyond.