New Orleans (La.) St. Augustine offensive lineman Joseph Paul was one of four visitors that the Gators hosted on Saturday.
“It was great and I had a good time,” Paul said. “It was better than I expected, coach (Will) Muschamp was a lot cooler than I expected. The whole time I just felt welcomed and felt like family during the visit.”
Paul has a connection with Florida is tight ends coach Derek Lewis in that Lewis graduated from St. Augustine High School, the same school Paul attends.
“Me and Coach Lewis have that relationship because of him graduating from my school,” Paul said. “When you graduate from St. Augustine you become family and with coach Lewis he is more of my uncle than coach. We talk all the time about the transition I would have to make from New Orleans to Gainesville. He tells me that he would have me over to his house for gumbo.”
Paul has a close relationship with Lewis but the 6-foot-4, 340-pound Paul also has a good relationship with Will Muschamp.
“He tells me he really likes me as player,” Paul said. “He said I’m very athletic and that I have a big opportunity to play early because they need depth on the line, especially at the guard position. It was good to talk to coach Muschamp and have him talk to my brother, sister, mom and dad.”
After meeting with Muschamp, Paul was taken out to the practice field so he could see offensive line coach Tim Davis in action.
“The practice was real up tempo and fast pace,” Paul said. “It was nonstop the whole time and coach Davis was getting after it the whole time. He is a really good teacher and he does a great job helping you fix your mistakes on the field.”
After visiting Florida, the junior offensive lineman now has two schools standing out for him as he nears a decision.
“Florida and Texas are even at the top for me,” Paul said. “Both of those schools need depth on the offensive line and the coaches are cool at both places. I feel like I’m going to go out of state and I plan to make a decision either before, or right after my spring football practices.”