Gators grab early lead for in-state OL

MIAMI — When Issiah Walker walked into the Rivals 3-stripe camp presented by adidas Sunday, he passed the eye-test. He is a long 6-foot-4, 260 pound offensive tackle out of Miami Norland and he is still just a sophomore.

Florida, Kentucky, South Florida and South Carolina have offered Walker and the Gators, who had a coaching change late in 2017 sit at the top.

"Florida is my early favorite," said Walker. "Coach Dan Mullen has made a good first impression and he seems like a cool guy. He has some energy and I like the times we have talked so far."

Mullen stopped by Norland in January to check on Walker and numerous other talented prospects the Gators are interested in. That stood out to Walker.

"The new staff has come in and really shown a lot of interest in me. "I have talked to coach Mullen and some of the other coaches and I like them. Since the new staff took over, they have come to the school and they have really come at me hard. I like that."

The sophomore has taken in a game and camped at the Swamp and he's enjoyed his time there. He now wants to get back to now that there is a new staff in town.

"The environment at Florida is one thing I have grasped onto up there. I like the coaches, the crowd and I just like the overall environment too.

"I have not visited since coach Mullen got the job, so I want to visit them again."