Florida sits on top for Tillman after offered: Florida Gators recruiting

Last week was a big week for the Florida Gators recruiting classes as the coaches were able to get out on the road and see prospects during the evaluation period.

While out on the road the Gators offered 2019 safety Marcus Tillman Jr. (6-3, 203, Orlando, FL. Jones) after receivers coach Kerry Dixon visited his school.

“Coach Dixon,” Tillman said of the coach who offered him. “He talked to my coach and said that they liked my film and I was good at making open space tackles. He said that I’m quick and he loves my athleticism. That I’m also a big safety at 6’3, 203.”

This offer caught Tillman by surprise as he really wasn’t expecting to be offered after getting a visit from Dixon.

“I was very surprised when my coach told me they offered me,” he said of the offer. “I didn’t know what to say. It means a lot to me. I always loved the Gators since I was 5 years old and that has always been my dream school. I just thank God and my family for always being there for me and pushing me to work hard on and off the field.”

Tillman plays several different positions in high school but last week Dixon explained where the Gators want him to play at in college.

“They told my coach that they would like for me to play safety,” Tillman said on where the Gators want him at.”

Last week wasn’t the first time for Tillman to talk with the Gators as this spring the safety went up to Gainesville and met with head coach Jim McElwain.

“I went to a spring practice this spring,” he said on when he visited Florida last. “I talked to Coach McElwain and Coach Dixon during the visit. I just really introduced myself to the coaches and told them who I was and where I’m from but they were mostly talking to my head coach.”

That was Tillman’s first visit to Florida and he came away impressed with several different things in Gainesville.

“It was an amazing visit and to see guys I watched in high school,” Tillman said on how he liked his visit. “Like Marcell Harris, which is a good friend of mine, Martez Ivey and Chauncey Gardner too. The coaches were really into the practice, which shows a lot of determination of trying to win a championship. We also toured the campus, which was beautiful.”

After getting the offer, Tillman says that one school has jumped ahead of the others.

“Florida is number 1 right now,” he said. “This is my second I received so far but I have high interest in Florida.”

 

INSIDERS TAKE: Florida is in really good shape with Tillman right now but he wants to wait until after his junior season to make a decision. Tillman is a big guy that is a physical safety.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.