The defensive line board for 2022 is one that’s expanding a lot this spring and on Wednesday, the Gators offered a new name to the board.
Defensive tackle Chris McClellan (6-4, 270, Owasso, OK. High) picked up an offer on Wednesday during his virtual visit with the Florida Gators.
“Coach Dan Mullen himself, that was nice,” McClellan said on the coach who offered him on Thursday. “I got to speak with Coach Mullen, Coach [David] Turner, and Coach [Garrick] McGee, it was very nice. Coach Mullen said I was a great player and that they only offer great players and that I deserve this.”
McClellan was excited and had a lot of emotions following the news of the offer and the defensive tackle had to get out of sight of the camera for a few minutes to show that excitement.
“This means a lot to me, this just puts me on a whole other level,” he said on the offer. “It definitely took me back, I was dancing, we were on a virtual tour so I to step to the side while he was talking to my dad. I was very excited, this made me hyped.”
Defensive line coach David Turner explained to McClellan how he could be used the best if he picks Florida.
“He was telling me that with me playing both inside and outside that I can move around,” McClellan said on the message from Turner. “He said with my speed and my size that he can use my speed on the outside for a pass rush but also I can play the 4I and the three-technique to stop the run.”
During the virtual tour, McClellan was able to speak with all of the coaches, plus he was able to see the campus in Gainesville.
“I got to see most of the campus and the facilities,” he said on what he was able to see during the virtual visit. “I got to see a lot of the new stuff that is being built and developed. Everything was beautiful.”
McClellan didn’t hide the fact that Wednesday’s offer was a big one to him and his interest in the Gators following that offer.
“High, very high,” McClellan said on his interest in Florida. “It’s Florida, it’s just the culture, how they develop their players and how once you’re a Gator, and you develop that lifelong connection. It’s the culture.”
Several other big-name teams are also recruiting McClellan hard right now.
“Oklahoma has reached out, USC, UCLA, Oregon, and a lot of PAC 12 schools,” he said on the other schools recruiting him hard.