Joey Slackman Talks 'Surreal' Transfer Recruitment, Florida Visit

Priority defensive line transfer target Joey Slackman recapped his visit to Florida and provided insight into his recruitment plans.

Photo: Penn defensive lineman Joey Slackman; Credit: A Extraordinaire Photography 

GAINESVILLE, Fla.-- After entering the NCAA transfer portal on Nov. 20, former Penn defensive lineman Joey Slackman became a hot commodity as he aims to jump to the Power 5 level. 

Most recently, he took an official visit to Florida. He recapped his visit and his general recruitment to date on Sunday.

"It really is surreal. It's a childhood dream come true," Slackman said about his blossoming recruitment. 

"I was a wrestler going into Penn. I wasn't a football player at first. My recruiting process out of high school was very different. I'm not used to this kind of thing. It's been really cool. Trying to stay in the moment and appreciate everything and enjoy it. I'm really grateful to be here."

Slackman's recruitment could be considered unorthodox, not only after beginning his collegiate career playing a different sport in the Ivy League, but also because Florida has yet to hire a full-time defensive line coach after parting ways with Sean Spencer on Nov. 27.

Graduate assistant Kali James Jr. has temporarily filled Spencer's prior role, with help from others on the coaching staff in the team's pursuit of Slackman's services.

"I'm sure they're in the process of hiring one. We talked about it. They're doing their due diligence, and I'm sure they'll find the right guy," Slackman said. 

Following Chris McClellan's entrance into the transfer portal, as well as the Gators' struggles along the defensive front against the run and pass over the past few seasons, Slackman's recruitment to Florida has become of critical importance as the team looks for trench players who can make an immediate impact. 

"[They] kind of said I fit in the big "N," big tackle position. Kind of what I played at Penn," Slackman shared. "They expressed clear interest. It's mutual. I'm sure we'll be in communication the next couple of days, and we'll figure it out." 

A minor concern regarding Slackman's transfer, however, is his immediate health. He was observed wearing a sling on his left arm at the James W. "Bill" Heavener Football Training Center on the final day of his visit. 

However, Slackman suggested that he should be cleared from the injury by spring training camp, wherever he ends up. 

"I had surgery on my bicep. I tore it in our second-to-last game," Slackman explained. "I had surgery three weeks ago. Should be cleared for spring ball." 

As for the immediate future, Slackman has scheduled visits to UNC, Virginia Tech and Michigan this week, following his trips to Florida and Wisconsin. Those schools round out his top five. 

Slackman is also in the middle of final exams at Penn, he shared, which has caused him to schedule visits wisely due to time constraints.

"I'm being pretty meticulous about where I want to visit. I don't really want to visit too many places anyway because it's a very speedy process for me," Slackman said. "Not really used to this kind of thing, but it's been really cool. This is one of the top schools I'm looking at, and we'll see how things work out at the end of the week."

That being said, Slackman was impressed with the Gators coaching staff's job over the weekend and said Florida's brand stands out to him. 

"The brand of the Gators is unlike a lot of other places. The coaches did a really good job of explaining the plan that they have moving forward to turn this thing around and where they see me fitting in their defense and being a part of this thing," he expressed.

Slackman intends to reach his transfer decision within the "next week-and-a-half or so," he said. Although he isn't planning on holding an in-home visit, he anticipates frequent communication with Florida until he makes his commitment. 

Should he pledge to the Gators, he'll join three class of 2024 UF defensive line commitments, headlined by five-star LJ McCray alongside Michai Boireau and Amaris Williams. Recently, 2023 starter Cam'Ron Jackson announced his plans to return to Florida for his final year of eligibility.

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