Trio of Gators Assistants Standing Out to OL Jake Guarnera

Offensive lineman Jake Guarnera intends to unofficially visit Florida in the coming weeks before scheduling summertime official visits.

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. -- Ponte Vedra (Fla.) High 2024 offensive lineman Jake Guarnera tentatively plans to make a return unofficial visit to Florida — what would be his fifth trip to Gainesville as a recruit — on April 1, he told All Gators at Under Armour's All-America camp on Saturday. 

A two-sport athlete who also participates in throwing events for the Sharks' track and field program, Guarnera intends to compete that morning before making the trek to UF for the afternoon. 

"It seems easy to fit in," Guarnera said, "but it's really not because I've got track meets like every weekend."

So long as the visit goes to plan, Guarnera is looking forward to spending time with a trio of Florida assistants who stand out in his recruitment: Offensive line coaches Rob Sale and Darnell Stapleton, and additionally, outside linebackers coach and Jacksonville-area recruiter Mike Peterson.

"I'm really building a great relationship with coach Sale. He's kind of been the one that's been reaching out the most, him and coach Stapleton. And then also coach Peterson, Mike Peterson is our area recruiter so I've been building a relationship with him."

Sale's presence in Guarnera's recruitment, in particular, has gone a long way in Florida's favor. Sale began Guarnera's most recent UF trip with a one-on-one film session where the two discussed the 6-foot-4, 290-pound prospect's positional projection in the Gators' scheme — along the interior offensive line, likely at center.

When Guarnera returns, he hopes to strengthen the relationships he's built with members of Florida's active roster and to introduce himself to other players, in order to better understand life at the university. 

Redshirt freshman edge rusher Jack Pyburn and true freshmen, offensive lineman Roderick Kearney and defensive back Sharif Denson, have ties to Guarnera from playing their high school football in the 904 region. Pyburn and Guarnera have worked with the same athletic trainer in Jacksonville. 

"I just like, I want to hang out with the players more," Guarnera explained. "You know, learn more about them because that tells a lot about a program and their culture.

"The players will be more straightforward with you, I feel like. Because, I mean, they just want to tell you the truth. They don't want to bull---- you and stuff like that. But yeah, I've talked to Pyburn over the phone a couple of times, and you know, just ask them questions about the program and things like that."

With a summertime commitment in mind — ideally in July, he said in January — Guarnera plans to take four official visits in June before reaching his college decision and save his fifth in case a coach were to move to a new program before signing day.

Guarnera is planning on scheduling those trips in the near future. Considering UF's long-term and continual involvement in his recruitment, it's safe to assume the Gators are in contention for one of the four. 

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