Last Saturday, the Florida Gators continued their hot spring of hosting prospects on campus by hosting dozens of guys in the Swamp for the Orange and Blue game.
Linebacker Marcus Tillman (6-1, 220, Orlando, FL. Jones) was one of the guys on campus and the visit was a successful one.
“It was a great visit,” Tillman said of his visit on Saturday. “I got to meet all of the coaches, the game was real good. I can’t wait to come back to Florida.”
This was the second time for Tillman to meet the new coaching staff and the team effort and difference of energy under Mullen stood out to him.
“They had a lot of effort, they were competing,” he said of what stood out during the scrimmage. “Just being great on both sides of the ball. Emory Jones he did great, it was a great game for him. The effort was different, the willingness to play together. The brotherhood, a lot as changed since Coach McElwain was here.”
While on campus, Tillman spoke with two coaches and got a simple message from head coach Dan Mullen during the visit.
“Coach [Dan] Mullen and Coach [Ron] English,” Tillman said on the coaches he spoke to on Saturday. “He [Mullen] was very happy to have me back up there. He said it was great to be back here.”
The Gators have also talked to Tillman about where Florida would play him in the defense if he chooses the Orange and Blue.
“Outside linebacker,” Tillman said on where the coaches told him he would play. “I like it a lot because I play in high school since my freshman year. Coming from the outside down to the end to play defensive end and coming off the edge to be a great pass rusher.”
Tillman who was once committed to Florida under Jim McElwain has been able to see a big difference of the approaches from Mullen.
“It’s a whole different Florida,” he said on what’s different from this staff to the last staff. “They’re bringing the old Florida back, national championships, SEC championships. The old Florida, 2006, 2007, 2008 the championship teams back.”
Saturday was the last spring visit from Tillman and while he doesn’t have a leader, he knows that Florida is a team he likes.
“Sometime in July, maybe earlier I don’t know yet,” Tillman said on when he will make a decision. “I know Florida is up there at the top but I’m looking at everybody the same right now.”