Signing a quarterback in every class is something most colleges want to do but the Florida Gators are in a position where they must have a quarterback commit in the class of 2016 after not signing one in 2015.
So far the quarterback board looks a little small but that expanded on Tuesday night when the Gators offered quarterback Dillon Sterling-Cole (6-3, 185, Houston, TX Westfield) after a conversation with head coach Jim McElwain.
“Coach Mac was the coach that offered me last night [Tuesday night],” Cole said. “He was telling me that he loves watching me play and that I’m a nice player. He said that I do great things on the field and that I would look good in orange and blue.”
Sterling-Cole admits that he has been watching some of Florida’s games in the past due to their former quarterbacks and that’s what makes this offer so special to him.
“It’s truly a blessing to get an offer from Florida,” Cole said. “It’s a prestigious college that have had some nice quarterbacks come out of there like Tim Tebow. I grew up watching a few games because of Tim Tebow. Watching him is what kind of made me start to look at Florida during my recruitment.”
During the conversation between Sterling-Cole and McElwain, the Texas quarterback learned what Florida needs out of the position.
“Coach Mac was telling me that they need a quarterback in this class,” Cole said. “He said that there are quarterbacks there that are good but if I come to Florida I could make some things happen there too.”
Last week offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier took a visit out to Texas to watch the quarterback throw in person and that’s what led to this offer.
“Coach Nussmeier was by school last week and he watched me throw some,” Cole said. “He’s a great guy and a great coach. I would love to play for him and that was something that I took note of that day. I’ve watched him and coach Mac develop a lot of quarterbacks during the coaching days.”
One thing that could help Florida get a visit from the talented quarterback, who has been invited to the Elite 11 camp, is that receiver Tyrie Cleveland is his teammate and he plans to visit Florida this summer.
“If Tyrie is going out there then I’m going to tag a long for a visit,” Cole said. “Florida is most definitely a school that I want to visit because I’m open to all schools including out of state schools.”
INSIDERS TAKE: If Florida can get Sterling-Cole to visit, then I think the Gators have a legit shot here. Texas A&M is the school to watch here but the Aggies may land a commitment before Sterling-Cole is ready to decide.
I wrote this once and it still applies. Given the condition of the Gator football program especially on offense no one of significance is coming to Gainesville from the State of Texas. Here are some reasons why: Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas, Texas Christian, Texas Tech. For additional reasons: Ohio State, Southern Cal, Michigan State and FSU to name a few. The Gators cannot compete against these programs when it comes to recruiting top-talent. At this point the Gators must go hard ONLY on realistic opinions. That means limiting the recruiting scope to Florida, Georgia and perhaps South Carolina. Even then UF is unlikely to get 4-and 5-Star talent from those states until they win, big time, on the field. As for a QB in this class: It is 3:00 AM, last call has been made and the bar room lights have just been brightened. In other words, good luck. Maybe next year.