Florida Gators offer excites JUCO OL Hayes

The Florida Gators coaching staff was back on the road recruiting on Tuesday and defensive line coach Chris Rumph stopped by a Mississippi junior college to evaluate guys there.

Offensive lineman D’Marcus Hayes (6-5, 330, Perkinston, MS Gulf Coast JUCO) was one of the guys Rumph was looking at and it ended up going well enough that Hayes got good news from Florida.

“Coach Rumph came by the school and he told my coach he was offering me a scholarship,” Hayes said. “I talked to him after he left and he told me that they like my film. He said that they think that I would be a good fit in their style of offense and that they’re trying to get good players ready for the next level.”

Rumph expressed to Hayes that the Gators have a big need for offensive tackles, as the depth there is low.

“He told me that they’re kind of looking for a JUCO offensive lineman this year,” he said. “He said that they need someone to come in and play early for them and that my style of play fit that. He said that they have a need for tackles.”

This was the first time Hayes has been able to talk to the Gators coaching staff, and it was a good first impression says the JUCO lineman.

“This was my first time talking to Florida and Coach Rumph,” Hayes of Florida. “Coach Rumph seemed like a really cool guy that is down to earth. He seemed like he loved what he’s doing.”

Hayes doesn’t know a whole lot about Florida, but growing up in Mississippi he has followed the Gators on TV.

“I’m excited about this offer, I’ve been working hard for this opportunity to come,” he said. “I’ve never been to Florida but I’ve watched them on TV and followed them some. I love their fan base and the atmosphere that they have at their games.”

The Gators will get the chance to impress Hayes in Gainesville as the JUCO lineman plans to visit Florida.

“I’m definitely going to go on a visit down there,” Hayes said on if he will visit Gainesville. “I haven’t made a decision on whether it will be for an unofficial or official yet. I’m enrolling in January so I will have to take my officials next fall.”

INSIDERS TAKE: Hayes says Mississippi State, Florida and Arkansas are all teams that are recruiting him, but he’s in no rush to make a decision. Hayes also said that he wants to learn more about Florida and the program.

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.