Linder Talks Gators

The Florida Gators are off to a huge start filling the class of 2010 with players such as quarterback Trey Burton and offensive lineman Ian Silberman, two of the top players in the state of Florida. The efforts don’t stop there as head coach Urban Meyer and the rest of the staff zero in on another top offensive line prospect from the state of Florida.

Brandon Linder visited Gainesville earlier this week after receiving an offer from the University of Florida last Thursday. It was the main reason for the return trip to Gainesville less than three weeks after he attended Friday Night Lights.

“Coach Steve Addazio and I spoke last Thursday and offered me a scholarship to the University of Florida so my dad and I wanted to take a trip back to Gainesville to spend more time with the staff,” Linder said.

Five days after the news came from coach Addazio, Linder and his father, Kent Linder headed to Florida.

“Tuesday night we made the drive up to Gainesville," he said. "We got up Wednesday morning and went and met with coach Addazio. Coach was telling us that they want to have the best players from across the country in the class of 2010 and they want me to be a part of it. After that I was able to meet coach Meyer in his office. His attention to detail was amazing. Coach Meyer spent basically about three hours with me showing me around the entire campus. I loved everything he showed me. It is a very cool school and I loved how it is set up. When I was at Friday Night Lights I didn’t get to see the things that coach Meyer showed me this time. He gave me the real details; we saw the campus and had an academic tour as well.”

Even though the recruiting process is a bit overwhelming right now, Linder knows that three teams will fight it out for his services.

“I am really only considering three teams right now and I don’t think that will change," Linder said. "Florida, Miami and Notre Dame are the three that I am looking at. My dad and I have talked about the process and we are keeping my options open but those are the three.”

Making an early decision is something that Linder has thought about but not something he is ready to commit to at this time.

“I do think that I want to decide early, how early I am not sure," he said. "I don’t see the point in waiting until National Signing Day to do something but I am not sure. I think that early next summer I might try and do something. Right now I am taking everything in stride.”

Brandon Linder is currently 6-5, 275-pounds and is from Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

Questions or comments? Contact FightinGators.com's Jason Higdon