Coach Jon Sumrall bolsters the roster as offensive tackle Elijah Hutcheson and safety Kailib Dillard pledge their futures to Gainesville, fueling expectations for a rapid championship turnaround for Florida.
Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall wants to win right away, and he made it clear this spring that the only way for the team to achieve the step of competing for a national championship was to better the roster.
"This is a sleeping giant," Sumrall said. "I’m telling you right now, it ain’t a matter of if we’re gonna win here. It’s how fast we’re gonna win. It’s coming. This winning thing, it’s coming.
"Now, I’m not patient. I want it to happen every day. But we are going to land some pieces in recruiting. We’re about to do some things that I think will build a roster here that is going to bring it back to where we all want it to be."
On Tuesday, the Gators landed two four-star recruits that should help with that effort.
Per Hayes Fawcett of On3, offensive tackle Elijah Hutcheson, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound athlete from Roanoke, Virginia, and safety Kailib Dillard, a six-foot-2, 185-pound athlete from Tulsa, Oklahoma, committed to the Gators.
Fans on social media reacted to the news that the Gators added in the trenches for the offense and at safety.
"It’s starting to feel expectation-y and that’s a scary spot to be in as a Florida fan," wrote a fan.
"Florida just stole another one," believes a fan. "Recruiting war is WILD"
"Florida landing a big-time safety, huge win on the recruiting trail for the Gators," posted another.
"Welcome to Gator Nation young man. We look forward to watching you on the field, in the classroom, and as a person. Time to create your own legacy at UF!" wrote a fan.
"Boys saw that UF OL this spring and thought 'hell I could start there right now'... Some dudes want to play right away and not compete, makes total sense... Good pickup boys, take them any way you can get them," posted another.
"UF's highest ranked recruits are both on the OL - Maxwell Hiller & Elijah Hutcheson," believes a poster. "Jon Sumrall focusing on the trenches as his first full high school class is now ranked No. 6 overall."