The Florida Gators recruiting class of 2018 had several big targets on campus two weeks ago when Florida hosted a junior day for spring practice.
A lot of the guys on campus were instate prospects and that included defensive end Malcolm Lamar (6-5, 250, Seffner, FL. Armwood) who got to see a lot of things during the visit.
“It was great,” Lamar said. ”I talked to Coach Mac, that’s always great then we walked around the facilities. My mom and my sister walked around the academic center and the dorms but I wasn’t able to see all of that because I got there a little late. We also took pictures by the Gator head and then we went into a team meeting before we went to practice.”
One of the things that Lamar liked about the visit was the chance he got to see defensive line coach Chris Rumph in action.
“Practice was fast moving, I’m used to that though because that’s how we do it now,” he said of Florida’s practice. “I was watching the defensive line and Coach Rumph. Coach Rumph cares a lot about his players and he spends a lot of time coaching his guys.”
Most prospects that visit Florida come back saying that they like Rumph and his personality and that holds true with Lamar who has developed a good relationship with the Gators coach.
“Coach Rumph is an amazing coach, I don’t think you can’t get any better than Coach Rumph,” Lamar said of defensive line coach Chris Rumph. “Every since last spring, we talk at least three times a week and we’ve built a great relationship. Anything that I ever need to talk about, I just call him. I can get advice from him.”
After practice was over with, Rumph and Lamar sat down to talk about how the defensive line would play in the Gators defense if he chooses Florida.
“He said that I can play as either a pass rusher or inside as a three technique,” he said of Rumph’s message on where he would play. “At the three technique, I would be basically playing defensive tackle and having a free go. I’m doing that now so I don’t have a problem with it.”
Head coach Jim McElwain also sat down with Lamar and his family and he made a big impression on the defensive lineman’s mom.
“Coach Mac was just telling me that he loves seeing me at Florida,” Lamar said of his talk with McElwain. “He’s a cool guy and he was talking to my mom about the Florida education. Mom loves him but her favorite coach is Coach Rumph out of all of the schools.”
The Gators have hosted Lamar on campus several times he explained the two reasons why that is the case.
“Florida is right down the road, it’s just two hours away,” he said on things he likes about Florida. “Of course I like the coaches there too but I don’t have any leader.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Lamar says he wants to wait until signing day to make a decision and despite not naming any leaders; Florida is in good shape for the defensive lineman. Lamar and Chris Rumph have really built a solid relationship and that should prove to be a huge help for the Gators.