Gators hit recruiting trail

Monday’s blowout of Iowa should impress prospects.

TAMPA — T h i s i s a b u s y rec ruiting month for the Florida Gators, who have momentum to carry them down the stretch.

Florida’s 30-3 win over Iowa in the Outback Bowl was not only big for the program, but it gave prospects something to look forward to as the Feb. 1 national signing day approaches.

“We’ve got a lot of really good recruits who are excited to be Gators, and that’s a good thing,” coach Jim McElwain said after the bowl victory. “We had a heck of a year. Two straight SEC East championships, new facilities. We’ll look for the commitment that we get from the administration moving forward.

“I know this, we’ve got a lot of good young players that played a lot of football for us this year, and they’ll teach the guys who are com- ing in next year the same thing. This still is a heck of a building process. We’re headed to building it, but we’re building it right,” he added.

Q u a r t e r b a c k A u s t i n Appl e by o n ly s p e n t o n e year with the Gators as a graduate transfer, but he expressed confidence in the direc tion of the program under McElwain as it relates to recruiting.

“As he continues to get the pieces he needs, as he continues to get the resources and bring the guys he needs in, the more that this Gator fan base and media can support him in what he’s doing and not question what he’s doing, the more that he’s going to be able to bring this program to the top,” Appleby said. “We’re not far off. ... We’re going to reload and have enough talent moving forward. I can’t wait to watch what coach McElwain, coach (Doug) Nussmeier, the new defensive coordinator, the rest of the staff and these players do.

“We’ve got an unbelievable job of recruiting that our coaches do. We’ve got players that come into our program ready to play. They’re expecting to play. ... The expectation when you come to Florida is that you’re coming to compete and you’re coming to help us win a championship from day one. ... I’ve got so much confidence in our offense that’s young and everybody’s back. I’m one of the only guys leaving. And our defense, we’re losing a lot of key pieces, but Florida has always reloaded,” Appleby added.

Center transfers: Center Cam Dillard will not be returning to Florida.

T h e r e d s h i r t j u n i o r decided to leave the program and play his final year of eligibility elsewhere as a graduate transfer.

A two-year starter, Dillard started 11 games of 2015 and the first eight games of this past season before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

F i v e - s t a r D T t a l k s Gators: The top remaining target on Florida’s board is five - st ar defensive t ackle Aubrey Solomon from Leesburg, Ga.

The U.S. Army All-American plans to officially visit the Gators on Jan. 27, the last weekend before signing day. Alabama is his leader, but Solomon sees an opportunity at UF.

“I like that I could play early,” Solomon said. “That’s not really why I would commit to a school, because hard work would pay off regardless.

“But I definitely like what they have got going for themselves, especially recently.”

Mac on the mic: McElwain will provide commentary during the national title game between Alabama and Clemson. McElwain will join Finebaum Film Room on SEC Network during ESPN’s “MegaCast” on Monday.

McElwain has coached against Nick Saban and Alabama in the past two SEC Championship games, so he’ll be able to give some insight into what it’s like to face the Crimson Tide.

He a l s o s e r ve d a s Al a - bama’s offensive coordinator when the Tide won national championships in 2009 and 2011.