Among the numerous things that made the Billy Napier Era such a frustrating experience was the approach to recruiting offensive linemen. Napier and Rob Sale had this mindset that they were on an episode of Storage Wars, hoping to uncover hidden treasure in the depths of a bunch of mid-tier three stars.
Sometimes, though, the treasure is staring you right in the face, but Napier and Sale never seemed up to the task the land any of the elite tackles around the country. Opposing coaches had to be channeling their inner Scott Steiner and were probably thinking to themselves, “Rob Sale KNOWS he can’t beat me and he’s not even gonna try!”
Now that they are gone, Florida is set to hire Gator great Phil Trautwein as offensive line coach, Florida is already back in business, chasing after the elite high school prospects around the country.
Florida offers five-star offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller
No sooner did the news break that Trautwein was coming to Gainesville than Florida offered five-star offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller.
Hiller is out of Pennsylvania and is listed as the top-rated IOL in the country and is a composite top ten overall prospect.
Florida had previously offered Hiller but was in zero contention to land him previously.
Florida re offered!!! @CoachTrautFB #SWAMP pic.twitter.com/hJsi4ldyRQ
— Maxwell Hiller 5⭐️OL (@HillerMaxwell) December 13, 2025
If you want the definition of what the tape for a five-star prospect looks like compared to a three-star, just go watch Hiller’s film. He is the type of player who would make you want to quit football if you were matched up against him on a Friday night. His natural power is evident, and there are moments where he won’t just pancake one dude, he’ll find a way to pancake two dudes at once.
He has the versatility where many think he could play either guard or tackle in college and beyond. Listed at 6’5” and 300 pounds already, he is going to walk onto a college campus with built-in Power Four size.
Hiller and Trautwein have a previous connection as Hiller was being recruited to Penn State by Trautwein. You name it, and basically any other big-name school is also in the running for Hiller.
The class of 2027 prospect should have a busy spring and summer, but the fact that Trautwein is wasting no time trying to land him in Gainesville is already a massive upgrade compared to the previous regime.