On Saturday there were only a few 2019 prospects on campus to watch the Florida Gators take on Idaho for the final home game of the year.
Miami offensive lineman Michael Tarquin (6-5, 290, Belleview, FL. North Marion) was on campus and enjoyed Senior Day in the Swamp.
“It was great,” Tarquin said of his visit to Florida on Saturday. “I’ve been there a lot and everybody has been talking about it so it was just good to be back in the Swamp for Senior Day.”
Despite it not being a sold out crowd in the Swamp, Tarquin was still impressed by everything in Gainesville on Saturday.
“It was a good atmosphere,” he said of the atmosphere on Saturday. “I thought it was good, there’s just something special about the Swamp on gameday, the tradition is really cool. It was a great way to send the seniors out.”
Offensive line coach John Hevesy has spoken with Tarquin a lot recently and his message is simple and to the point with the Miami commit.
“They just say they need linemen,” Tarquin said of Hevesy’s message to him. “He said he’s trying to get as many as he can and they obviously want me there. He said I can come there when I’m ready.”
Hevesy has explained to Tarquin just how he would fit into the Florida offensive line if he chooses Gainesville.
“He just thinks that I’m a tackle,” he said on where Hevesy wants him to play. “He says that’s where I will be at.”
Tarquin has paid close attention to Hevesy and the offensive line this year and he has been impressed by the turn around under the offensive line coach.
“I think he’s done a great job compared to the offensive line play last year,” Tarquin said of his impressions of Hevesy. “I think he has really turned things around and it’s only going to get much better. I like his intensity and I think he brings a more tactical outlook to the position. I think he does a good job with that.”
Head coach Dan Mullen has also spoken with Tarquin a lot recently and he has been straight to the point about wanting the Miami commit.
“He doesn’t really give me a sales pitch or anything,” he said on the message from Dan Mullen. “It’s pretty simple that they want me and they’re ready to take me. It’s nothing to much, I know some schools will give you a sales pitch.”
Tarquin has visited Florida three straight weeks after not having much interest in the Gators and he says that changed after watching the season play out.
“They were just recruiting me and I just noticed how well they were doing so I just thought I would give Florida another chance,” Tarquin said on why he decided to visit Florida three weeks in a row. “I just wanted to get to know Mullen and Hevesy and I’ve been impressed.”
Next up for Tarquin will be two official visits including getting back to Gainesville for another visit.
“I’m taking my official to Miami this weekend and then Florida the next weekend,” he said on upcoming visits.
Tarquin plans to sign and enroll early in school and he says right now it will likely come down to two teams.
“As of right now it will be between Florida and Miami but I still have to think about things,” Tarquin said. “I’ll make the final decision a little before signing day after I know for sure, after my visits. I’ll either just stay committed to Miami or flip.”