McMillon breaks down his recent Florida Gators offer

Over the last month or so, the Florida Gators coaching staff has really expanded their recruiting board for the 2021 class during the dead period.

A few weeks ago, the Gators offered safety Donovan McMillon (6-2, 193, Canonsburg, PA. Peters Township] after he talked to one of the recruiting assistants.

“Coach [Keiwan] Ratliff did,” McMillon said on the coach who offered him. “He said that they don’t normally come up here but when they were watching another guy’s tape they saw me and started watching me the past month or so. They really saw me playing defensive back for them and pulled the trigger.”

Picking up an offer from Florida was big to McMillon for several reasons but one reasons is the ability to possibly reconnect with family.

“I was super happy about it,” he said on what the offer means to him. “My grandparents, aunts and uncles that live down there and that’s something that could make this a great possibility. My grandpa lives down there and I never get to see him so playing down there would make me get into a closer relationship with him. “

Ratliff and two other Gators coaches explained to McMillon just how the Gators see him fitting into the defense.

“They see me in their nickel position,” McMillon said on where Florida wants him to play. “Coach [Ron] English and Coach [Torrian] Gray have said that position as well. We’re just starting to build that relationship but Coach English and I have talked for the past month or so. My dad has bonded with him and Coach Ratliff as well.”

Defensive backs coach Torrian Gray explained to McMillon why his skills fit what Florida is looking for.

“They’re looking for a nickel and you really have to be a hybrid guy who can play one-on-one but come down and tackle the big backs and I can do that,” he said on what Florida likes about his game. “They see me playing that role.”

Despite never visiting Florida before, McMillon says he knows and likes several things about the Gators program.

“One, I’m definitely a warm weather guy,” McMillon said on what he likes about Florida. “Having family that lives down there is good and just playing in the SEC would be something that I want to look into because this year’s draft had high percentage of guys taken.”

Next up now will be a visit to Gainesville for McMillon but he’s just waiting on the dead period to be lifted.

“Yes, I’m planning on it,” he said on if he plans to visit Florida. “I want to take my officials in the summer but I’m not sure if I can.”

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.