Tim Jernigan is finally getting to sit down with new Florida coach Will Muschamp.
Lake City Columbia High School football coach Craig Howard said Wednesday that the senior defensive tackle, who Rivals.com ranks as the third-best tackle in the country, will meet with Muschamp for the first time Thursday. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and assistant defensive line coach Bryant Young are also expected to join Muschamp.
Jernigan met with Young and running backs coach Stan Drayton last Friday.
Jernigan has waited a while to sit face-to-face with Muschamp and though the two have talked, it's been tough for him to generate much chemistry with a guy he almost considers a stranger.
"There's nothing against (Muschamp), he just needs to build that relationship," Howard said.
Before Jernigan meets with Florida's new coaches, he will entertain a group of LSU coaches Wednesday night, Howard said. Jernigan will also officially visit Florida State this weekend.
The next step will then be deciding where he will take his final official visit of the year. Right now, Howard said Jernigan is down to Florida, Tennessee or Alabama for that final visit, but it appears Florida and Tennessee are the prime candidates.
With the departure of Alabama defensive line coach Bo Davis, who is now at Texas, Jernigan said during the U.S. All-American Bowl practices in San Antonio, Texas, that he's unsure if Alabama is still a finalist.
Not in the picture weeks ago, Jernigan's interest in Tennessee increased after speaking with defensive line coach Chuck Smith.
"He loves Coach Smith," Howard said. "He's a real sharp guy, smart guy, has pro experience."
Howard also said Jernigan has grown close with UT's strength and conditioning coach, Ron McKeefery. Howard said an important factor for Jernigan is developing a strong relationship with the strength and conditioning coach because they'll be together more often than other coaches. That's one reason Florida has stayed in the picture for Jernigan.
"One of the guys you look at is the strength coach. Florida has a great one in Mickey (Marotti)," Howard said.
Once Jernigan returns from his final visit, he'll prepare for his National Signing Day (Feb. 2) decision on ESPN at 10 a.m. at Columbia High.
While Jernigan has a few of his plans in order, the one thing he's still searching for is trust, Howard said. With all the coaching changes Jernigan has seen with the schools he's liked, he's having to rebuild a lot of it with these schools, Howard said.
"So much change with so many teams is not good," Howard said. "There aren't enough Joe Paternos in the game.
"After years of playing football, you meet a guy in one week. How do you know (that he's the right fit)?"
