Mullen Surprises Walk-Ons Raymond and Villano

Teammates mob R.J. Raymond and Nick Villano after head coach Dan Mullen awarded the walk-ons scholarships Monday night. (Photo: Kelly Streeter/UAA Communications)

Mullen Surprises Walk-Ons Raymond and Villano

Monday, August 20, 2018 | Football

When Florida coach Dan Mullen huddled the Gators together following Monday evening's practice, he saved a special surprise for last.

By: Will Pantages

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- When Florida coach Dan Mullen huddled the Gators together following Monday evening's practice inside the team's indoor practice facility, he saved a special surprise for last.

The announcement caused a celebration as Mullen put both tight end R.J. Raymond and offensive lineman Nick Villano on scholarship.

NOW ON SCHOLARSHIP:

🐊 @rjraymond3
🐊 @7Big_N1

Story: https://t.co/xXinA1yfVD #GoGators pic.twitter.com/vjdC2nmUNh
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) August 21, 2018

"I had no idea it was coming,'' Raymond said. "When he said it, it was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. It means the world to me. It shows me that these coaches see the work that I am putting in and that everything Nick and I have been doing hasn't gone unnoticed."

A Florida native who played at Fletcher High in the Jacksonville area, Raymond has been a mainstay on UF's special teams units over the past two seasons. He moved to tight end last spring under the new coaching staff and has flourished in that role, catching a 58-yard touchdown pass in April's Orange & Blue Game.

Raymond will continue playing a key role on special teams but will also compete for playing time at tight end.

Meanwhile, Villano has yet to appear in a game at the University of Florida but found himself entrenched in a competition for the starting center position during fall camp.

"It was a great feeling," Villano said of earning a scholarship. "I have been working for this for the past three years, and for this to finally come is truly a blessing for me and my family. I have been working my butt off, and a dream came true today."

Villano is a native of Wellington, Fla. and American Heritage High School.