Jon Sumrall makes first 5-star Florida splash with new commit fans were begging for

Five-star offensive tackle Maxwell Hiller committed to the Florida Gators on Wednesday night, giving Jon Sumrall his first major recruiting win. Hiller chose the Gators over Ohio State, Tennessee and Alabama.

Florida jumped on Hiller's radar after Sumrall brought offensive line coach Phil Trautwein on his staff. Trautwein and Hiller had a previous connection when the former Gator was recruiting Hiller while he was coaching at Penn State. From there, Hiller's interest in Florida grew quickly, and he often said that the Gators were standing out over the other programs battling for his pledge. 

Hiller took his first trip to campus in January and returned for a longer spring visit in late March, which might have been the trip that sealed the deal. After that visit, the Gators were almost considered a lock for Hiller. It's a significant recruiting win for Sumrall, who was hired in late December and has quickly tried to establish a different culture in Gainesville. 

5-star OL Maxwell Hiller gives Gators a huge recruiting win

There was never a doubt that Hiller was very interested in Florida, but the Coatesville, Pennsylvania native could've gone to any school he wanted and with Penn State less than three hours from home, there was a concern that eventually the Nittany Lions would jump back into his recruitment. But Florida never stopped pushing and Trautwein, who began recruiting HIller when he was in the eighth grade, has become one of the most highly-regarded offensive line coaches in college football.

Hiller has an official visit scheduled to Florida for mid-June. That was the only visit he had locked in, and it's possible he could completely shut down his recruitment from this point forward. Hiller was expected to go to Alabama this weekend for the Crimson Tide's spring game, but reports are that he has canceled that trip. He may decide to come back to Gainesville for this weekend's Orange and Blue game instead. 

This could be the start of something special for the Gators in recruiting. Top quarterback prospect Davin Davidson is expected to make his announcement on Thursday and Florida is a heavy favorite in his recruitment.