Gator Country

One of the top players in the 2014 recruiting class received an offer from the Florida Gators on Dec. 18.

JaQuan Lyle, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound point guard, spoke with Florida assistant coach Rashon Burno, who extended the offer to the Evansville, Ind., native.

“Florida was actually very interested in me,” Lyle said. “It was the first time I’ve talked with coach Burno and when we talked on the phone, he told me he had a scholarship offer for me.”

Burno stressed to Lyle how Florida’s playing style coincides with his playing style.

“He just was telling me how I would fit in with their playing style,” Lyle said. “We got to know each other a little bit. He seemed liked a good guy and made Florida seem like a good environment.”

Although Lyle is from Indiana, he’s noticed what Florida has done over the past few seasons and what the program could offer him as a collegiate athlete. Not only do they win, but also Lyle believes the pick and roll offense at Florida would be perfect for him.

“They are winners. With head coach [Billy] Donovan, that’s basically a guard school,” Lyle said. “Guards come in and come out and there’s a lot of freedom within their offense and a lot of pick and rolls, which is the kind of guard I am.

“If Kasey Hill is still there, having both us in the backcourt would be unstoppable,” he added about the possibility of teaming up with the Class of 2013 Florida commitment.

Lyle had a list of 10 schools that stuck out to him, but with the recent Florida offer, the Gators have found themselves as one of the junior standout’s favorite programs.

“I have a serious interest in Florida,” he said. “I’ll have to sit down with my coach and talk to him [about a taking a visit to Florida].”

About the author

DrewLaing

Drew Laing is a junior at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. Before college, Drew lived in Lakeland, Fla., his entire life. He began in journalism during his senior year of high school and has continued studying it throughout college. In addition to his internship at Gator Country, he is the Editor-In-Chief of The Samford Crimson and a collegiate correspondent for USA Today. Drew enjoys the finer things in life like Tampa Bay Rays baseball and PB&J sandwiches.

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