Top-Rated Athlete Terry Bussey Speaks on Gators' Entry Into Recruitment

The Gators are the latest to join the recruitment of top-rated athlete Terry Bussey, who has a notable connection to Florida through QB DJ Lagway.

Photo: DJ Lagway; Credit: Florida Gators Creative Media 

The Gators joined a prolific recruitment for one of the nation's top athlete prospects, Terry Bussey, on Saturday afternoon when they extended an offer to the talented playmaker.

A product of Timpson (Texas), Bussey joins a long line of Lone Star State prospects to hear from Florida this cycle as the program looks to leave its footprint on a state perpetually littered with high-level talent. 

The Gators are accomplishing that goal so far as their two highest-rated commits, quarterback DJ Lagway and safety Xavier Filsaime, hail from Texas.

Saturday marked an attempt to further that objective when off-field assistant Joe Hamilton extended his hand to Bussey on behalf of the Florida program.

"I was excited about getting the offer," Bussey told All Gators on Sunday. "I have a good relationship with coach Hamilton and look to build on that."

The Gators hope to continue building that connection quickly over the next several months, too, with Hamilton and other staff members joining the race for Bussey's services later than the 29 other potential suitors that line his offer sheet.

Luckily for UF, Bussey says he is still in the early stages of his recruitment process, looking to make a college decision "later down the road."

The extended timeline gives the Gators ample time to close the gap other schools could have created for the talented athlete prospect. Despite Florida's tardy arrival, Bussey keeps the team on an even playing field with the others who have heavily pursued him to this point.

"Nah, them coming later doesn't knock them down," he said. "I'm still super early in my recruitment."

He plans to travel east to Gainesville this summer, where he can grow further familiar with the coaching personnel and program that his 7-on-7 quarterback, Lagway, fell in love with to the point of commitment in Dec. 2022. 

Bussey projects as a cornerback, safety or wide receiver at the next level, a testament to his high-level versatility and athleticism. His 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame would forecast better as a slot receiver option in the Gators' offense, however mainly due to the mold secondary coach Corey Raymond sticks to when targeting defensive backs.

As a result, wideout better matches his profile if he were to end up at Florida. 

There, he could continue serving as a target for Lagway to target at his disposal, using his verified 4.42 speed to exploit holes in opposing defenses and serve as needed speed in space for Florida. The two 2024 prospects have discussed the possibility of teaming up at the next level, which the passer is sure to bring up each time they connect. 

"We talk about it every time we play or see each other. The relationship with him could potentially help," Bussey said about Florida's chances.

Great weekend with !! @Fast7v7 pic.twitter.com/4xS1ClKNEn

— Terry Bussey (@Terrybussey12) February 20, 2023

Provided the aforementioned decision to take his recruitment slow, Bussey was sure to keep the prospective schools he's gravitating toward close to the vest at this time.

"I'm still really early so I wouldn't say [any teams are] standing out, but I like a couple places."

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