Florida firmly established itself as a contender in five-star offensive tackle [autotag]Francis Mauigoa[/autotag]’s recruitment after he had a strong visit to the Swamp last month. He released a list of his top 13 schools, and the Gators made the cut. Sports Illustrated’s AllGators spoke with Mauigoa at the Elite Underclassmen Camp in Orlando to recap where coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and the Florida program stands.
Napier and Co. blew away Mauigoa last month on his visit. He raved about the trip even though it happened almost a month ago now.
“Their new staff is a lot better than the old staff,” he said. “I think the new staff is way better. I felt the love and the atmosphere was crazy. It’s the people that are around you that will make you successful. Surrounding yourself with successful people will make you successful. Surround yourself with failures, you’ll make yourself a failure. So, you know, they develop successful kids. They showed me around, it was all love.”
One difference he noted was how active Napier was in his recruitment compared to former coach [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag]. He said Napier is doing a good job recruiting him so far and that he’s always checking in with him.
Mauigoa said Florida is the only school that employs two on-the-field offensive line coaches in [autotag]Rob Sale[/autotag] and [autotag]Darnell Stapleton[/autotag], and really likes the idea. He believes this allows them to develop players better.
Mauigoa’s parents plan to fly in this summer, so he and his family can make official visits on June 23 and July 19. He’ll then save the rest of them for the fall. He also hopes to drop a list of his top five schools by late May.
Mauigoa said Florida has a good chance to make that list as well because of how great his first visit went.
The 247Sports composite ranks him as the eighth-best prospect overall and the second-best at his position. It would be a massive get if Napier and staff could reel him in.
[mm-video type=video id=01fzxvey69v0kkv5sy74 playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fzxvey69v0kkv5sy74/01fzxvey69v0kkv5sy74-8371b93d98d976c05215867d90cdb544.jpg]
[lawrence-related id=81188,81178,81171,81151,81143]
[listicle id=81207]
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.