Long, winding road coming to an end for Petit-Frere
Mark Wheeler •
InsidetheGators.com
Since the very beginning of the 2018 recruiting process Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep five-star offensive tackle
Nick Petit-Frere
has mostly stayed out of the recruiting spotlight when possible, instead deferring to his high school football coach
Dominick Ciao when comes to updating his status.
That was the case this past weekend when upon leaving his Florida official visit, he declined an interview request from
Inside the Gators.
Ciao spoke with both Petit-Frere and his mother after the visit and was told that they enjoyed the experience.
“They told me they had a wonderful time,” said Ciao. “I can't give you any specifics other than he had a great time and got to talk to the coaches and players.”
With Petit-Frere himself not naming a leader or providing a leaderboard at any point throughout the entire process, it has led to plenty of speculation and rumors.
Having heard some of them himself, Ciao cleared the air somewhat on Tuesday afternoon.
“Let me help you here,” said Ciao. “There is no, 'He's leaning here or not going there.' There are no secrets here with him, he has five schools, the schools he is officially visiting, Michigan, Notre Dame, Alabama, Florida and Ohio State this weekend. No one has been cut, he is still assessing all the schools with no leader. That's where he is right now. That's the story.
“I see the talk out there, but it's talk. After every visit I talk to him and his mom - we go over where everything stands. I am telling you, he doesn't have a leader and he's not eliminated any of the five he has visited. We're not going to allow coaches to continue to spend their time recruiting him if they aren't a real option, if they aren't still in it.”
Alabama visited with Petit-Frere on Monday. Florida, Michigan and Ohio State are due in Wednesday.
Ciao said that after the final visit this weekend they will come to a decision and let teams know before Signing Day where they stand.
"There's not going to be a big production, he'll let coaches know, and then sign."
BamaInsider.com - Long, winding road coming to an end for Petit-Frere