Florida Gators are frontrunners for 2013 ESPN Watch List DT Dontavius Russell

Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp has been hitting the recruiting trail hard. Muschamp and his staff impressed star 2014 recruit, Dontavius Russell, on a recent visit. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

Over the weekend, the Florida Gators and head coach Will Muschamp hosted 2014 ESPN Watch List recruit Dontavius Russell. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Georgia native told reporters that he really liked what he saw, putting the Gators at the top of his list of preferred schools.

“I liked the Florida visit the most so far just because I got to see more of things then the other junior days that I went to,” Russell told Blake Alderman of InsidertheGators.com. “The other visits that I went on were all good, but I just got to see more and get more one on one time with the coaches, it felt more personal. This visit raised my interest in Florida a lot. I know a lot more about it and its not just a name and what I see on TV.”

However, Georgia Tech is far closer to home, and as of now, the Yellow Jackets seem to be Muschamp’s biggest competition in landing a commitment from the massive young man.

“I probably talk to (Florida) the most,” Russell said. “I am really close with Florida and Georgia Tech’s coaching staffs, probably the most.”

Muschamp has turned around the culture of Florida football, and in a hurry. Whereas former coaching greats Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer won games and championships on the strength of a high-powered offense, Muschamp led the Gators to a Sugar Bowl berth with a powerful running game and tenacious defense.

Bringing in a massive, run-stopping talent along the likes of Russell, who is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 65 overall player for 2014, will help Coach Boom to continue to build the program into an annual national title contender.

MORE RECRUITING: A superstar 2014 running back also has Florida among his top schools

What do you think Gamedayrs?