If you asked some people around the industry a few weeks ago, they’d tell you the only thing saving Billy Napier’s job was the Florida Gators’ desire to not run simultaneous searches for a coach, president, and potential athletic director.
That was when Florida was 1-2, with losses to Miami Hurricanes and Texas A&M Aggies teams that look much better now. The Gators were forced to play freshman DJ Lagway at quarterback, and now at 5-5, with a chance to get to a bowl game with the lowly Florida State Seminoles left on the schedule, things are looking up in Gainesville.
It doesn’t hurt that the Gators are finally gaining ground on the recruiting trail. Is more good news to come?
What’s the Latest Recruiting Info for the Florida Gators?
Last offseason, the Gators limped into National Signing Day but were just able to hold onto their biggest recruits in a top-10 class. That included ultimately retaining the commitment of Lagway, who has been an elite difference-maker this season.
This year, things may be trending the opposite way.
Just a month ago, Florida was ranked 55th nationally in the 2025 recruiting class. Since then, the Gators have won several recruiting battles, including multiple flips of former Power Four commits.
The Gators landed interior defensive lineman Stephon Shivers over other SEC and Big Ten powers after the three-star de-committed from the Georgia Bulldogs.
Florida has also pounced since Florida State announced a re-shuffled staff that includes the firing of offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins.
In just a week since that was announced, the Gators flipped quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. and interior offensive lineman Daniel Pierre Louis, both borderline four-star recruits.
Meanwhile, Florida might not be done. There are a few bigger fish who may make the leap to help this class finish closer to the top 10, where the Gators expect to be.
Who Else Could Commit to Florida?
Florida is looking to flip several high-profile recruits after gaining some traction on the recruiting trail. In addition to Shivers, Jones, and Pierre Louis, Florida hosted two five-stars for their official visits, and both are committed elsewhere.
According to industry sources, Texas Longhorns wide receiver commit Jaime Ffrench is at least open to hearing the Gators’ pitch, and he might not be completely locked in with the Longhorns. He’s the guy I’m probably tracking the closest for the Gators leading up to the early signing period, as he’s a game-breaking receiving threat to pair with Lagway.
In addition to Ffrench, five-star Ohio State Buckeyes commit Na’eem Offord was on an official visit with the Gators. While he’s been trending away from the Buckeyes, no one thought the Gators were really in it. But after an official visit, apparently Florida has his attention.
But there’s a trio of five-star visitors that has my attention.
Following the trend of several of his former Florida State class members, five-star interior offensive lineman Solomon Thomas has his eye on the Gators, visiting for the LSU game. We’re not on imminent flip watch, but he’s at least one to monitor.
While originally not expected to make it in, LSU commit and five-star cornerback DJ Pickett visited The Swamp on Nov. 23. I wouldn’t necessarily call Florida the leader, as Miami and Georgia are both pushing, but he’s at least one to keep an eye on.
Five-star receiver and Oregon Ducks commit Dallas Wilson is officially on flip watch. After visiting unofficially last week, Wilson is expected to be back in town for an official visit as Florida hosts the Ole Miss Rebels.
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The final recruit on flip watch is Cincinnati Bearcats three-star commit Jahari Medlock. In following the visits, the offensive tackle looks more like a Florida commit than Cincinnati bound, but he hasn’t officially flipped yet.
Finally, top 100 edge rusher Javion Hilson has been committed to Alabama and FSU at various points in the last couple of years and was regarded as a silent Texas commit for a while but is currently uncommitted. Can the Gators be the one to end on top?
Florida doesn’t need to land all of these guys to feel good about its class. However, getting a few to sign would be significant to the Gators’ future performance as they get behind Napier.
Maybe Napier isn’t as much of a lame duck as some would lead you to believe.
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