Mack Wilson Becoming Increasingly Comfortable with Florida Gators

One is probable.

Two is coincidence.

Three is a pattern.

With a new season of Florida Gators football on the horizon, a group of Bama Boys is hoping to create a pattern in Gainesville. They’re just missing one piece—Mack Wilson.

Lyndell, as his Christian name reads, is the No. 1 outside linebacker in the country and a native of Montgomery, Alabama.

In his own backyard is safety Jeawon Taylor and not far across the state is running back Lamical Perine, both of whom are committed to Florida already.

“Lamical Perine and Jeawon Taylor they tell me like ‘we need you’,” says Wilson.

“It’ll be a good chance for me coming in and playing and I don’t mind playing with those guys, you know it’ll be a fun ride…“They be dead serious. Sometimes they laugh about it and sometimes I know they for real.”

Those three could really get a chance to see what a Bama coupe in Gainesville would be like when they take their official visit together at the end of January. That decision at least was an easy one for Mack and could make a future signing day decision even easier.

“We know each other, we comfortable around each other and that’s somewhere we talk about going and those guys have already committed so they trying to get me on board. Just going to enjoy the visit and see how it goes.”

This won’t be the first visit Wilson has taken to the Swamp. He came back in August of 2015 and felt a connection pretty quickly.

“When school started after I had took my visit there, it felt like home to me,” he explains.

“And the coaches, they have great coaching staff and great players and I feel like they had a good graduation rate and I feel like I could get my degree within the three years I’m there.”

His top three right now, in order as per Wilson, is Florida, Alabama and Georgia. The Gators and Tide are pretty neck and neck as he sees it, with Georgia getting a shot at recruitment once Kirby Smart can fully entrench himself in Athens. But that means Smart has to put together a pitch quickly and Saban will be replacing Smart with a new defensive coordinator.

The key to getting Wilson to become a Florida Gator though is continuity and opportunity, and that’s something he sees in Gainesville both with faces from home and faces to make it feel like home.

“If I choose to go to Florida at least I know they have the same coaches there and also with that new coaching staff they won a lot of games this year and they went to the SEC Championship and that plays key in my recruitment. With them signing one linebacker in the last 3 years, that really gave Florida a huge boost… I just feel like with my athletic ability I can play any three linebacker positions and just do what I do best.”

When it comes down to it, that’s what matters most for Mack Wilson. Can he create a home and his own name with the Florida Gators? Can he become a part of a Bama takeover in Gainesville? Perine and Taylor say yes; and Wilson is starting to agree because two words said more than an entire visit or stage of recruitment could.

“If signing day was today, would you be a Florida Gator?”

His reply—“Yes mam.”

Kassidy Hill
Born into a large family of sports fanatics and wordsmiths alike, sports journalism came natural to Kassidy. It’s more than a passion; it’s simply a part of who she is. Hailing from Alabama in the midst of typical Iron Bowl family, she learned very quickly just how deep ties in the SEC could run. She came to Gainesville after college to pursue a degree as television sports reporter but quickly realized she missed writing. She’s excited to now marry the two aspects for Gator fans. She loves Jesus, her daddy and football; wants to be Billy Donovan’s best friend and firmly believes that offensive lineman are the best people on earth. Follow her on Twitter @KassidyGHill

7 COMMENTS

  1. What Coach Mac has accomplished this season goes beyond good coaching. From day one he has tried to instill a thinking that T (team) comes before I (individual). During the process, some very talented athletes were lost because they just didn’t get it. So what did we learn during the first season with Coach Mac. #1, if you’re hurt, he won’t play you. #2, you have to compete during practice each week to start the next game. #3, the best man will play, there are no carryovers, #4 Players get respect, when they give respect. #5, not many people know this, but he’s not to good at making peanut butter sandwiches, but he tries really hard and that’s all he asked of his players in everything important in life, never give up.

  2. Coach Mac and his staff are doing a great job coaching and recruiting. It is very exciting to watch them put this program back to the dominance of the Head Ball Coach, Coaching era. And I am certain he and this staff will. Disappointed with the play in the Citrus Bowl. But, I sincerely believe Coach Mac to this Team this year you have earned a great time at the Bowl experience. I really do not believe they had as much interest in winning this ball game as they did the whole TEAM having a great time.
    I would like to suggest to Coach Mac to achieve the support of our Heisman Trophy Winners (3) and tons of former ALL SEC, ALL AMERICAN players and many others who have been a great part of FLORIDA FOOTBALL, to the point of attending events from now until next season trying to teach this very young Team coming in what it means to be a FLORIDA GATOR. There are all kinds of things these former players and coaches would love to get involved in to bring all the REAL GATORS BACK TOGETHER. UNITED, the sky is the limit for Coach Mac, his staff, his players, and ALL OF GATOR NATION. Maybe some of them would like to address the team during all kinds of functions, especially a PRE GAME SPEECH. I WOULD LOVE THAT MYSELF

    • I agree, that would take it to another level…Wilbur M. is that you? Went to school with you at UF and also was a high school athlete at the same time in Brevard County…if it is, I hope all is well with you and the Family.