Gator Country

Ponte Vedra (Fla.) High linebacker Dillon Bates said he wants to return to Florida to watch a practice this spring. / Courtesy photo

Florida picked up a linebacker commitment on Saturday from Christian Miller, and the Gators also hosted another top linebacker prospect.

That prospect was Ponte Vedra (Fla.) High linebacker Dillon Bates, who visited Florida for the second time in as many months.

“It was a good trip,” Bates said. “It was a good day. I got to sit down with the staff and get know them more and to see the campus more. I got to see where I would live as a student athlete. It was a little different than my past visits because I got a better look at everything.”

While on the visit, the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Bates got to see the weight room and meet the man in charge of the weight room.

“I got to meet coach (Jeff) Dillman, Bates said. “I got to walk around the weight room with him, and he is a real cool guy. He talks with a ton of energy and is passionate about the weight room.”

After meeting with Dillman, Bates moved to a meeting with Will Muschamp and defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin.

“We had a really good meeting,” Bates said. “He was telling me where I would be playing in the Florida defense and how I would fit into the scheme there. He was talking to me about last year’s class and how they signed a lot of guys, so they only have a limited number of linebacker spots available. Coach Muschamp said that I’m a versatile linebacker and could play inside or outside.”

Bates is still picking up offers by the day, but he has already planned out visits in the coming months to see schools all over.

“I plan to visit Texas soon maybe in the spring,” Bates said. “After that I’ll go to Tennessee and back to Florida for a spring practice and then hopefully Alabama and Ohio State after that.”

Bates has yet to narrow down his list, but he said he has high interest in Florida.

About the author

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.

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