‘Flipper’ is at it again with Tre Williams

“Flipper” is a nickname that Will Muschamp has earned on the recruiting trail over the past few years because he has always been able to flip top prospects from rival schools.

The 2014 recruiting class is no different and this year one of Muschamp’s top targets to flip is linebacker Tre Williams (6-2, 220 Mobile, AL St. Paul’s), who despite being committed to Auburn, told Gator Country that he is going to take four other official visits.

“I’m not sure if I’m going to go for a game or after the season,” Williams said. “But I’m definitely going to officially visit Florida. I’m also going to go USC, Miami, Ole Miss, and Auburn.”

One of the first keys in flipping any recruit is to find out whether the interest level is true or not and that’s something that Will Muschamp comes flat out and asks first.

“Coach (Jeff) Choate was at one of my games against B.C. Rain but I mostly talk to coach Muschamp,” Williams said. “He told me to be real with him and tell him if I was truly interested in them and if I was going to visit them. Then he told me that he really wanted me and stuff.”

The Mobile native has made it very clear that he is solid to Auburn but he is also keeping his options open. Williams wants the red carpet treatment, but he also wants schools to show him what life would be like on a day-to-day basis.

“Show me a good time,” Williams said when asked what it would take to flip him. “I really don’t want Florida to overdo it but I want them to keep it real and be themselves. I want to experience what it would be like to actually go to school there and if they show me that and they are themselves then I will have a decision to make for myself.”

One thing that the Gators have in the favor is that St. Paul’s head coach Steve Mask and Muschamp have a relationship dating back to when Muschamp was on the Auburn football staff.

“My high school coach and Coach Muschamp know each other pretty well,” Williams said. “He talks to me about coach Muschamp a lot telling me about his defense and stuff. The defense is pretty good. I’ve actually watched them the last few years. I really liked watching Matt Elam and Jon Bostic.”

Not only is Williams planning on taking his five official visits but he also plans to visit Florida State for the Miami game and will also be in attendance for the Iron Bowl in November.

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.