Offensive line coach Phil Trautwein has had five-star offensive tackle Antijuan Wilkes on his radar since he was at Penn State. The relationship between the two has grown significantly since Trautwein joined the Florida staff.
Trautwein leads the way in Florida's pursuit of the four-star recruit, keeping in dail contact with the 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound prospect out of Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan.
"We've been talking all the time," Wilkes told Swamp247. "Sometimes we talk football, sometimes we just talk about life. It's just, he's trying to get to know me, I'm trying to get to know him."
Early in his recruiting process, the blue-chip recruit has put emphasis on his development as a better player. When viewing Florida as a potential
program, he believes Trautwein has shown the ability to develop offensive linemen, calling him "one of those dogs."
Though Trautwein has been the main coach on staff keeping in contact, Wilkes has also been in touch with assistant offensive line coach Mike Polley and Jon Sumrall.
Wilkes has not been on campus yet, but there has been a lot to like from Florida without a visit for him. As his recruitment picks up, he views Florida as a viable top-five option in his recruitment.
"I've been wanting to go to Florida for a long time. I've been thinking about it. It's a top school, for sure," Wilkes said. "They got the development part, they got the academic part, so it was just really all that ties in to make it so special for me."
The Great Lakes State product will make his first trip down to the Swamp later this season, on Nov. 21 when the Gators host Vanderbilt.
Wilkes will also have set visits with Michigan (Sept. 12), Georgia (Sept. 26), Missouri (Oct. 3), Alabama (Oct. 10), Miami (Oct. 17), Notre Dame (Nov. 7), Texas A&M (Nov. 14) and Ohio State (Nov. 28).
Antijuan Wilkes' recruiting summary
Wilkes is ranked No. 13 overall and No. 1 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite, while the Rivals industry ranking has him at Nos. 11 and 1, respectively. On ESPN, Edwards is also ranked No. 11 in the country and is the No. 1 offensive tackle.
Rivals' recruiting prediction machine puts Michigan at the head of the pack, with the Wolverines holding a 28.3% chance to land him. Michigan State (24.8%), Ohio State (11.1%), Missouri (5.1%) and South Florida (4.6%) conclude the top five, leaving Florida on the outside looking in.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Five-star offensive tackle continues to build bond with Phil Trautwein
