The Gators are once again in desperate need for offensive linemen and on Monday they offered a top JUCO lineman.
That lineman is Jamal Danley (6-5, 305, Scooba, MS East Mississippi C.C.) who received the offer from the head ball coach himself.
“Coach Muschamp was the coach that offered me but Coach [Mike] Summers was on the phone also,” Danley said. “Coach Muschamp said that he really needs offensive linemen because they are losing four this year. He said that he thought I could come in and play right away.”
This spring defensive line coach Brad Lawing visited East Mississippi to see Danley in person and reported back to Summers.
“Coach Summers says that he likes my film and what he’s heard about me,” Danley said. “He said that he liked the way I moved and how athletic I was for a lineman.”
This is the 16th offer for Danley, so far, but receiving an offer from Florida meant a lot to him.
“This offer means a lot to me,” Danley said. “It’s an SEC offer and that’s what I’ve been looking for. I don’t really know much about Florida but I’m planning on researching them and Coach Summers.”
Despite the SEC offer from Florida, a Big 12 school currently has a slight lead with the Gators closing in.
“Oklahoma is standing out and Florida is right up there now,” Danley said. “I was going to make [a decision] soon but I’m going to delay a little but I want to make one before the season starts.”
Before a decision is made Danley, does want to get to Gainesville but a date hasn’t been set yet.
“I’m going to get out to Florida for a visit,” Danley said. “I’m not sure when but I’m going to visit them.”
INSIDER TAKE: Danley sounded very excited about the Florida offer — and if he visits Gainesville, I think the Gators have a great shot for him with the need for linemen being so bad. Danley knows that if he chooses Florida he can play early, which is important because he has just two years of eligibility left.
I hope he can play if he chooses Florida. I am still wondering why Florida signed Drew Sarvary. Unless I’m completely wrong, he’ll never see the field unless a lot of guys get injured. I don’t think Sarvary was offered by any major school. I think you should only take a JUCO player if you’re pretty sure he can play, Trenton Brown was a god pickup, he’s going to play.
He was going to be a backup before he was injured for the year and every team needs depth. He will play next year when 3 of our starting OL are gone