GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Each time an evaluation period rolled around that allowed college coaches to visit the National Christian Academy campus in Fort Washington, Md., a different Michigan coach would show up.
Tim Drevno one week, Pep Hamilton the next. Jim Harbaugh one week, Don Brown the next.
Offensive lineman Will Harrod knew who they were there to see. At 6-foot-6 and more than 300 pounds, Harrod had developed into one of the state's top prospects his junior season and Michigan was considered the clear favorite to sign him.
The Gators made a push under
Dan Mullen and offensive line coach
John Hevesy, getting Harrod on campus for an official visit the weekend of the 2018 season-opening 53-6 win over Charleston Southern. Harrod fell in love and committed.
He stayed true to his commitment throughout the fall despite Michigan, Maryland, Oklahoma and Tennessee, among others, continuing to show interest.
"It was kind of an easy decision because I knew what Coach Mullen and Coach Hevesy were bringing to the program,'' Harrod said. "They were headed in the right direction."
By the time the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl pairing was announced in early December, Harrod had no reservations. He signed with the Gators during the early signing period and 11 days later watched Florida roll to a 41-15 victory over the Wolverines at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Harrod is one of four offensive linemen among UF's nine mid-year enrollees who joined the program in January. In our continuing series to introduce the newcomers on
FloridaGators.com, here is a Q&A with Harrod:
Q: Why was it important for you to enroll early?
A: Mostly just to get a head start and get to learn the program more. And work out more to get ahead.
Q: What has the transition been like for you?
A: It's very tough. You've got people ahead of you and you have to work hard to get on their level.
Freshman offensive lineman Will Harrod.
Q: Why Florida over Michigan and other schools closer to home?
A: To get better. It seems like a program that will develop me as a person and as a football player. It was a great choice.
Q: What contact did you have with Florida's coaches on the recruiting trail?
A: All when they came here. That's mostly when we started talking.
Q: What kind of high school team teams did you face?
A: We had great players, a lot of D-I players, especially D-linemen. It was good competition.
Q: What's a good spring for you by getting here early?
A: Mostly developing. Getting stronger and knowing the plays better.
Q: Best day ever playing football?
A: Probably when I was playing for the Patuxent Rhinos, 12-U. I scored three touchdowns at tight end. That was probably my best day. I got awarded a video game.
Q: Did you only play offensive line in high school or defense too?
A: Probably a game or two [on D-line] freshman year, but that was it.
Q: When did you first learn about Florida?
A: Probably with Tim Tebow. That's when I started watching college football.
Q: What's something people don't know about you?
A: I like watching anime. I've been watching anime since I was young. People don't really know about that.
Q: Favorite one?
A: Naruto.
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