Five Gators making move to next level

LAND O’LAKES — While Kent Taylor was by far the most prominent player at the table with a pen Wednesday, what made national signing day special at Land O’Lakes were the four other athletes who are heading to the next level.

Among those athletes was Andy Garcia. The soccer star had an offer from Florida Gulf Coast University up until three weeks ago, when the coaching staff informed him that he would have to walk on his first season in order to earn a scholarship.

For Garcia, who wanted to make the process easier on his family financially, that option was not acceptable. He went back to some of the schools that had shown interest earlier.

Over a few weeks he looked at North Florida, Saint Leo, the University of Tampa and the University of West Florida. Garcia eventually chose Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach after visiting the school Sunday.

“It was about going to the school that would be best for education,” Garcia said. “Palm Beach is a private school with small classes.”

Garcia also emphasized the style of play Sailfish coach Jose Gomez employs. Garcia was told by Gomez that he would play outside back, something he is looking forward to. The senior scored 16 goals this season for the Gators.

“That (position) is perfect for me,” Garcia said. “I am very versatile.”

Soccer teammate Jake Frahm also signed at the ceremony, choosing North Florida. He had five goals this season while playing center midfielder and defender.

His versatility was a key selling point for Ospreys coach Derek Marinatos. Frahm has been told he could play center midfield, center back and defense for North Florida.

“He was the first coach I talked to in person,” Frahm said. “I have major goals to succeed in college and eventually go pro, and he said he could help me with that.”

Taylor’s football teammate Darin Patmon also signed. The safety will be heading to the Ivy League, attending Columbia in New York. Patmon was the fourth-leading tackler on the team this past season with 55 tackles.

“I sent out my test scores and films my junior year,” Patmon said. “I always knew I wanted to go to the Ivy League, and after my official visit last weekend I knew that’s where I wanted to go.”

It was Gators assistant Bill Schmitz who helped the most. The offensive coordinator is a former head coach at Austin Peay University and the Coast Guard Academy, and his collegiate experience includes time as an assistant at Columbia. He used those connections to get Patmon’s name out there to the Lions’ new coaching staff.

Pete Mangurian was named the program’s coach after a 1-9 record last year. Because the team has recruited only seven defensive backs, Patmon said he believes he has a good chance of getting playing time as a freshman.

Taylor made his commitment to the University of Florida official. The fourth-ranked tight end in the country according to the ESPNU150, he was also named to the roster of this season’s U.S. Army All-American Game.

The final athlete on hand was Land O’Lakes pitcher Brad Hencke. The four-year varsity starter signed with the University of Tampa in the fall.

There were two noticeable absences at the ceremony. Jackson Cannon has decided to join USF in the fall as a preferred walk-on, while fellow linebacker Shadow Williams has multiple Division I-AA offers that he is waiting to narrow down.

“Shadow wants to see where he best fits and what opportunities are there,” Land O’Lakes coach Brian Wachtel said. “As for the rest of our players, my (coaching) staff has been phenomenal in working to get these guys out there. Along with their hard work and the efforts of the players, that’s why all of this is possible.”

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