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.
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:
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"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.
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