The state of Michigan hasn’t been very kind to the Florida Gators on the recruiting circuit when it comes to signing top rated prospects in recent years from the state. Coach Will Muschamp and the Gators are hoping their fortunes in the state change soon with defensive end Malik McDowell (6-6, 292, Southfield, MI Southfield) who set up his official visit to Florida last week.
“I’ll be taking my official to Florida for the Florida State game during Thanksgiving weekend,” McDowell said. “I talked to Florida last week and sat that up with coach (Will) Muschamp. My parents are going to be coming with me down to Florida.”
The communication between Florida and McDowell has been very steady so far during the recruiting process, something that excites the Florida coaches.
“I talk to Florida twice a week or sometimes more,” McDowell said. “I talk to Coach (Brad) Lawing and Coach Muschamp. Usually I call Coach Lawing and we talk for a little bit and then he hands the phone to coach Muschamp and he talks to me for a while. Coach Muschamp is really the only head coach that handles my recruitment. They tell me that they are glad that I talk to them so much.”
With the relationship between the two sides going so well and the Gators believing they have a decent shot at landing McDowell, Florida was supposed to be in Michigan last week but plans changed according to McDowell.
“Coach (Tim) Davis was supposed to visit me last week but he didn’t make it in town because something came up,” McDowell said. “He told me that they will be back up here for a game sometime soon.”
Many Florida fans around the country have wondered and expressed concerns about how this season’s lack success will affect recruiting. McDowell has formed his own opinion about Florida’s season.
“Their losing this season is motivation to me that I can come in help them out and get them back to where Florida used to be a few years ago,” McDowell said.