Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier has been racking up the frequent flyer miles this month as he travels across the country looking for the next great Florida Gators athlete.
Thursday saw the offensive coordinator in the Washington D.C. area visiting offensive lineman Richard Merritt (6-4, 338, Washington D.C., Archbishop Carroll) who has seen the Gators coach twice now this spring.
“Florida came through my school on Thursday,” Merritt said. “It was coach Nussmeier the offensive coordinator that visited me. It went pretty good but they can’t really talk to me. He talked to my coaches a little bit though.”
Offensive line coach Mike Summers hasn’t had the opportunity to visit Merritt in person but he and others are constantly in the ear of Merritt about the Florida Gators.
“I’ve been talking to Florida about every day, really,” Merritt said. “I talk to coach Summers and the head coach [Jim McElwain] on Twitter or over the phone. I’ve been in pretty good contact with Florida I would say.”
Summers has been building a good relationship with Merritt but the one thing that the DC prospect has noticed is that there is a big opportunity to play early at Florida.
“Coach Summers has just been telling me that I would be a great fit for the team if I decide to come play for them,” Merritt said. “He said that I come in as a freshman and play if I work hard in the classroom and on the field. He said that they only have six linemen so I know I can come in and play right now. It’s very intriguing because it’s SEC football.”
Head coach Jim McElwain is usually the coach that talks about all things with prospects and he has kept that up with Merritt as the two talk about several different topics.
“Coach McElwain says that he loves me as a player,” Merritt said. “He DM’s me on Twitter and stuff all the time. We have good conversations about how many guys he has put into the league and that he knows he’s new at Florida but he knows how to win and develop guys. We just have normal talks.”
Merritt admits that Florida is one of the schools that sticks out to him and this summer he will have the opportunity to see if Florida is the place for him when he visits the Gators.
“I’m actually visiting Florida and Florida State from June 9th-13th this summer,” Merritt said. “I want to get down there and see everything and meet everyone and see if they’re the right fit for me.”
INSIDERS TAKE: Merritt wouldn’t say who was standing out to him but Maryland, Florida, Florida State and Alabama are all teams that I’m told that he likes. This summer will be big for him and visits but keep an eye on where quarterback Dwayne Haskins commits too as Merritt is good friends with him.