Florida's commitment swayed Josey's Marsh

Anyone wondering where Lawrence Marsh was going to go play college football found out fast Tuesday night. All they had to do was take in a few gestures made by his mother Tuesday night at Josey's James Henry Roundtree Athletic Complex.

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Eileen Christian, his mother, put one hand above her head and the other in front of her torso. She lowered her top hand onto the other over and over again. She was chomping, like all good Florida Gators fans do.

That's her team now after Marsh committed to Florida co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison after Josey's basketball game Tuesday.

Marsh, who had offers from Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Maryland and Notre Dame among others, chose Florida over a final three that included Auburn and Georgia.

"Florida let me know I was going to play straight defensive end," Marsh said. "I was the first defensive end to commit to Florida this year, and they didn't sign any defensive ends or defensive lineman last year. Playing time was big for me."

Christian said her son told her "Florida was where he wanted to be" when visiting Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday. Marsh even said that before Florida's 34-7 win against Florida State.

The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder has run a 40-yard dash in under 4.9 seconds. That athleticism was prized by the Gators.

"Another part of my decision was Georgia said it was down to two scholarships, and I was going to have to make a decision," Marsh said. "Coach Mattison said I was their No. 1 defensive end. He said my scholarship was good now and two months from now, all the way to February if that's what it took. That got me down deep. Florida was going to wait for me to make a decision that I felt comfortable with. That made me want to keep things real with them. That was real cool."

His commitment isn't binding until he signs a letter of intent on National Signing Day. Marsh said he will pursue a degree in Sports Management at Florida.

Butler's Ben Troupe was the last area player to sign with Florida in 2000.

Reach Jeff Sentell at (706) 823-3425 or jeff.sentell@augustachronicle.com.