Roundtable features are normally reserved for Inside the Gators staff members, or staff members combined with network analysts or off site guests, to share their opinions on various topics related to the sports programs at the University of Florida.
Today's version is a bit different. This time around ITG asked the parents of football players to share their thoughts on several subjects.
The first who has agreed to take part in the Roundtable discussion is Chad Wilson (Twitter: @GridironStuds) a former Miami Hurricanes player and father of Florida cornerbacks Quincy and Marco Wilson.
Here are his answers to our questions:
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1) At what point did you realize that your son Quincy was a special football player who was going to have an opportunity to play at the collegiate level?
Chad Wilson: His 3rd season of playing at 8 years old I realized he was a special player, but I also knew I would have to wait till puberty hit to see what God blessed him with (laughing). His freshman year I took him to tryout for a pretty prestigious 7-on-7 team called South Florida Express and though he didn't make the team he surprised me with his competitive spirit, athleticism and determination. I knew he would be special then.
2) Going back to the recruiting process, describe what it was like for your son.
Wilson: It was difficult at times, thrilling at times, but overall a great experience. He was blessed to be recruited by just about every major school in the country. The toughest part for him was recruiting media and fans discrediting his ability to play cornerback and calling him a safety purely because of his size. Being selected to play in The Opening was probably the biggest thrill for him from a recruiting perspective.
3) If you were in charge and had the ability to change one thing about the recruiting process, what would that be?
Wilson: Make it affordable for all prospects to take trips to see schools prior to their senior season. The only prospects who can legitimately take their official visits, which can only occur during the season season, are the highly recruited four and five star athletes. The rest of the athletes risk losing a scholarship offer or opportunity by waiting that long to see a school then make a decision. The process is not really fair for them.
4) As is becoming more an more common on the collegiate level, your son - and thus you and the family - committed to a coach in Will Muschamp who was fired while your son was still on the team. What is that like to go through?
Wilson: It was difficult because as much as you commit to a University, you are, to some degree, committing to an individual or group of individuals. Quincy lost his position coach in the transition, Travaris Robinson and one of the big factors in the commitment was the ability to get quality coaching at his position. Losing TROB was tough, but fortunately the groundwork was laid and he had the ability to work with an outstanding coach in Torrian Gray this past season. I was confident that Florida, given their culture of defense and great defensive back play, would ensure that solid coaching on defense would continue and that was proven right.
5) What is your predominate thought on Muschamp?
Wilson: My predominate thought on Muschamp is that I love the guy. I am forever grateful for him giving Quincy the opportunity and providing him with the best during his tenure there.
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6) When Muschamp was fired your son - and thus you and the family - had to wait for a new head coach to be named. What was that feeling like knowing your son couldn't freely leave and start over if he didn't like the new staff.
Wilson: I never had those thoughts. Quincy committed to the University of Florida. I knew they weren't going to bring in bum and that they would not drastically depart from what has been successful for them for quite some time.
7) What was you and your son's impression of Jim McElwain?
Wilson: We both like McElwain. That is evidenced by the fact that Quincy's younger brother will be attending Florida in 2017.
8) From a parental standpoint, what was the biggest difference between Muschamp and McElwain?
Wilson: You know there isn't as much of a difference as people may think. I guess you can state the obvious which is that McElwain has more of an eye for offense. If coach Mac is successful in utilizing his strengths on that side of the ball, Florida has a chance to be really good considering how solid Muschamp left the program defensively.
9) Being a parent of a player at a big time football school, is it hard to hear and/or read some of the things that have been said and/or written about your son?
Wilson: It was at first. I had to develop some thick skin and I am grateful that I went through it. It allowed me to learn some things about myself. I do realize that fans, media, etc. are entitled to their opinion and God has blessed me with an uncanny ability to get after people who I feel deserved it. I do have a way with words I've been told. (laughing).
10) Has there ever been an instance at a game or elsewhere where you thought that a criticism was over the top?
Wilson: Miami fans' criticism of Quincy, Marco and I because they committed to the Gators has gone over the top on many occasions. Social media allows you to see the deep and ugly side of people especially when they are allowed to be essentially anonymous in their appearance. Over time though, I have come to understand their frustration as well as their passion as fans. Those are the things that make college football great.
11) What is the best part of being a football parent - and the worst?
Wilson: Best part of being a football parent is watching them work hard at something, perform and then reap the benefits. That is the essence of what you teach as a parent. The worst part is the criticism by those who have no idea what it takes for them to get where they are and do what they do.
12) It is your son who was part of the team, but how included did you feel? What is your access like to the head man himself as well as the rest of the staff?
Wilson: Though I didn't bother either Muschamp or McElwain I never felt like I couldn't get to them to discuss something if I felt the need.
13) Overall, on a scale of 1-to-10, how would you rate your son's, as well as your family's Gator experience both on the football field and off?
Wilson: I would rate it a 9. The only thing missing was truly being in a position to compete for a national title when I feel that Florida should always be in that discussion. I will add though that this was not a requirement when choosing a school. You can't get into the process of trying to predict who will win a title when choosing a school as you will likely sacrifice a lot of other very important things if you take such a singular focus.
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