Every kid growing up a fan of football in the south always hopes to play for their favorite team, but rarely get the chance.
On Tuesday Tallahassee (Fla.) Godby linebacker Jacob Pugh received that offer from his childhood favorite, the Florida Gators.
“It’s extra special to get an offer from Florida,” Pugh said. “My uncle is Darren Hambrick and ever since he played for them I have been a fan of the Gators. Florida is definitely my favorite team.”
The offer came from Will Muschamp on Tuesday but at first, Pugh thought their conversation was just a usual check-in conversation.
“When we first started talking he was just talking to me like usual,” Pugh said. “He was like how are you doing, how are your grades, and just random stuff like that. Then he said, “we are going to offer you a scholarship to Florida.” I didn’t think it would happen so soon, I thought he would offer me when I went down there on a visit or something.””
Bryant Young is the main recruiter for Pugh and the two share a special relationship.
“Coach Young and my uncle know each other pretty well from when they played in the league,” Pugh said. “I like coach Young, he is a calm guy and seems nice.”
The defense that Will Muschamp employs for Florida is very similar to what Pugh is use to and he feels that’s a positive.
“It’s pretty much the same defense we run at Godby,” Pugh said. “Florida runs a 3-4 and a 4-3 and pretty much every defense I have played in has been the 3-4. Florida wants me at outside linebacker and that’s what I’ve always played, so I feel like I could fit in pretty well.”
With Florida offering on Tuesday, the talented junior linebacker has made an adjustment to his top list of schools now.
“Alabama, Florida, Florida State, North Carolina and Kentucky are my top five,” Pugh said. “They are all even right now but I want to make a decision this summer. I plan to visit Florida for a spring practice and spring game.