Cornerback Marcus Lewis (Washington D.C. Gonzaga High) made the long trip from the nation’s capital to Gainesville this weekend to see what the fuss is all about at the University of Florida. Lewis came to the UF campus expecting to see a great practice and plenty of coaching from Will Muschamp and Travaris Robinson in the secondary. He didn’t leave disappointed.
“I loved it; it was great; I love it down here,” Lewis said. “Practice was up-tempo, it was fast and it was very physical. I love that kind of practice. The weather was perfect was for a spring practice too.”
Lewis played particular attention to the secondary drills and was impressed by the constant coaching and teaching that goes on.
“Coach T-Rob is all about his players but he’s going to coach you hard,” Lewis said. “At the same time though he’s getting you ready for the next level while coaching you hard. He’s a great coach and he really cares about his guys. I also liked that Coach (Will) Muschamp was helping out with the corners. It’s always a plus when your head coach is coaching you personally.”
As long as Muschamp is Florida’s head coach, defense will be a priority. From what Lewis saw, Florida fans will have something to cheer about this year whenever the defense takes the field.
“The defense looked really good at practice and I think they are going to do good this year,” Lewis said. “The defense is always going to be physical with Coach Muschamp as the head coach. Right now they have two lock down corners with Vernon (Hargreaves) and Jalen (Tabor) on opposite sides.”
Before leaving to return home, Lewis and his mother were able to sit down with Muschamp to talk about how he would fit in if he makes the decision to play college ball at Florida.
“Coach Muschamp was telling me that I have a big opportunity to come in here and make some plays and an impact on the defense,” Lewis said. “He said he sees me as an outside corner, inside corner or even at safety. He said that I can come in and play early but I had a great talk with him and he’s a great coach and a great guy. My mom was listening into the conversation and she trusts him and I do too so we will see.”
Lewis is already good friends with Jalen Tabor, an early entry corner from Maryland, and time was spent talking about the transition from the D.C. area to Gainesville.
“Jalen was telling that I’m going to love down here and that he loves here already,” Lewis said. “Jalen told me that Coach Muschamp was going to play the best man whether it you are a freshman or a senior.”
Heading into this week’s tour of Florida, Florida State and Miami, Lewis had Ohio State as his leader but that is no longer the case.
“The three Florida schools are at the top of the list for me right now,” Lewis said. “I can’t really say who leads out of them but we will see.”