Phil Trautwein has made it no secret-he wants more ink, and the only way he’s earning that next tattoo is by chasing another national championship. To do that, he needs elite talent up front, and few names in the 2027 class shine brighter than five-star interior offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller.
Hiller, out of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, isn’t just Florida’s top offensive line target-he might be the crown jewel of their entire 2027 recruiting class. And right now, the Gators are making a serious push. This recruitment is heating up fast, and Florida is firmly in the thick of it.
The Gators have made up serious ground with Hiller in recent months, and the relationship between the blue-chip lineman and Trautwein is clearly a driving force. Hiller has locked in an official visit to Gainesville for June 19-21, and by all accounts, Florida is a real contender.
This isn’t just a casual interest. Hiller recently named Florida in his top four, alongside Alabama, Tennessee, and Ohio State. That’s elite company, but Florida has a key edge: Trautwein.
The connection between the two runs deep. It started years ago when Trautwein was recruiting Hiller during his time at Penn State.
That early foundation has turned into something much more substantial now that Trautwein is in Gainesville. And while many expected Penn State to be a major player for the top-ranked prospect in their home state, they’re notably absent from Hiller’s current shortlist.
In a recent interview, Hiller didn’t hold back when talking about his bond with Florida’s offensive line coach.
“I know how he does things and how he coaches, and I feel really comfortable with how he does things,” Hiller said. “I feel like I can hit up Coach Traut about anything-whether it’s on the field, off the field-so it’s just bigger than football.”
That kind of trust matters. For a player of Hiller’s caliber, the decision isn’t just about scheme or depth charts-it’s about relationships, development, and fit. And right now, Florida checks a lot of those boxes.
Hiller’s recruitment is far from over. He’s got a busy summer ahead, including an official visit to Alabama on Memorial Day weekend and a trip to Knoxville the week before he heads to Gainesville.
But there’s a sense that Florida has real momentum here. With Trautwein leading the charge and a strong visit lined up, the Gators are positioning themselves to land one of the most coveted linemen in the country.
If they can close the deal, it would be a massive win-not just for the 2027 class, but for the long-term vision Trautwein and the Florida staff are building in the trenches.