Jim McElwain and the Florida Gators coaching staff know how bad they need offensive linemen for this upcoming year and they have been searching for instant help since the spring ended.

The hard work and tireless effort may have paid off as offensive line coach Mike Summers found JUCO offensive lineman Quinn Mittermeier (6-6, 305, El Dorado, KS Butler County C.C.) and quickly got him on the recruiting board.

“Coach Summers from Florida offered me last week,” Mittermeier said. “He said that he was ready for me to be a Gator and that he needs linemen bad at Florida right now. He didn’t really say where he wants me at because I can play everyone on the line.”

Summers hasn’t been sugar coating anything with Mittermeier, as he has simply laid out the facts that he’s needed in Gainesville.

“[He told me] That the opportunity here is pretty good for a lineman,” Mittermeier said. “They tell me that I can step on campus and be in the mix for playing time if I choose them.”

Mittermeier, who has already completed his required three semesters in junior college, is eligible to enroll at a school this summer and the Gators will get a chance to impress him soon.

“I’m taking an official to Florida on June 7th-8th with my mom,” Mittermeier said. “For now that is the only visit I have planned. I may go up to Oklahoma but I’m not sure. I want to have a decision made after my Florida visit so that I can enroll soon.”

When Mittermeier does arrive at a school this summer he’s hoping to see early playing time as he still has a lot of time left to play college football.

“I have four years to play three at whichever school I choose,” Mittermeier said. “I’m looking for a school that can offer me early playing time but it isn’t a deal breaker. You have to earn everything in life so I’m willing to work hard but I want the opportunity to be there.”

Mittermeier says that when he arrives for his visit to Florida next week the Gators will kind of have a leg up due to the conference they are in.

“I’m not sure what I want to see really, but I want my mom to like everything there,” Mittermeier said. “My mom will be a big key in my decision but I also want to see if I love Florida or not because I’ve always wanted to play in the SEC.”

INSIDERS TAKE: Florida is the odds on favorite to lands Mittermeier at this time and I think it would take someone else sweeping him off of his feet before he visits Gainesville if they want to land the JUCO offensive lineman. Mittermeier is a guy that likely doesn’t step into a starting role, but he’s a guy that could contribute if need be.