THE GATOR COLLECTIVE CORNER: MEET ANTONIO VALENTINO

“I knew I wanted to go to the SEC... Florida was the first SEC school to contact me. It felt right.” -- ANTONIO VALENTINO

Transcribed From The Buddy Martin Show By Kyle Curtis

Question: What was the transfer portal like, are you happy with it?

Answer: “The portal is really nerve-wracking to be honest with you, I wasn’t super highly recruited out of high school, so I didn’t know what was going to happen once I put my name in there. It’s a big thing in trusting yourself. I was very fortunate to land at Florida.”

After spending his first four seasons with Penn State, Valentino took his talents to Gainesville where he was a key contributor on the defensive line.

Question: What made you choose Florida?

Answer: “I knew I wanted to go to the SEC... Florida was the first SEC school to contact me. It felt right.”

Valentino also stated he had offers while in the portal from Michigan, he didn’t want to stay in the same division or conference as Penn State because he didn’t want to “burn any bridges.”

Question: What’s your thoughts on ‘Coach Chaos’?

Spencer is the new co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach at the University of Florida. Valentino had high praise for “Coach Chaos,” saying the room always had an identity with Spencer at the helm. He says it’s a great addition to Napier’s “Army.”

Answer: “I was with Spence (Sean Spencer) for five years. Spence is the best defensive line coach I have ever been around... Spence holds a special place in all of his players’ lives, all of his players’ hearts... Don’t worry about a thing when it comes to recruiting, this guy is a master at it.”

Question: How big of a culture shock was it moving to Gainesville from the Midwest?

Answer: “I never really interacted with a lot of people from the East Coast...that was new. June, July, and August I was miserable! It was so hot. We would start the practice on the inside and then finish on the outside on purpose.”

Question: Talk about what the best atmosphere you’ve played in during your time in school.

Answer: “They [Penn State and Florida] are both amazing in their own way. Beaver Stadium is incredible because there are so many people, like when does it end? The Swamp is special because the stadium feels more so like it’s a living thing.”

Valentino was lucky enough to play in two of the most iconic settings in all of college football. Valentino was not able choose a favorite between Happy Valley and The Swamp.

Question: What’s the next move after football?

Answer: “I am In Fort Myers right now for draft training... What am I going to do afterwards though? I have a natural ability to talk to people, I’m really into story-telling... I’m also super big into taking photos.”

Antonio was able to get his broadcasting degree during his time at Penn State. Valentino also said how much of an impact his academic advisor had on his plans after football. He was able to find his passion and figure out what he wanted to do after football.

Question: What do you think happened with Dan Mullen?

Answer: “I think that’s above my pay grade. All I know is I did exactly what the man told me to do.”

Question: Who is the toughest lineman you played against?

Answer: “I would say, South Carolina’s line across the board played extremely well as a unit.”

The Gators fell to South Carolina 40-17 where the Gamecocks were able to dominate in the trenches where the Gamecocks outgained the Gators 284-82 on the ground.

Question: What are you going to take your most from your experience in Gainesville, even past football?

Answer: “I would say really leaning on people who care, a lot of people care about the Florida Gators. Being able and willing to serve them as well ... Not being afraid to step into a new environment and thinking of what people will think about me. Just being myself.”

Question: What do you think of what Billy Napier has done so far?

Answer: “To be honest with you, I saw the writing on the wall that this kind of thing was going to happen... Nobody has anything bad to say. I think when you’re good to people it comes back to you, and I think this is a result of Coach Napier being good to people.” Valentino says has full trust in Napier and feels that the future of Florida football is in good hands.