Florida has the weekend off, which makes it a good time to take stock of what Jon Sumrall is building in the 2027 class. The headliners are already familiar - names like Maxwell Hiller and Easton Royal - but several other commits are putting together strong high school seasons and giving the Gators plenty to like.
A few of those performances have been especially loud. With the caveat that offensive linemen were left out because it’s difficult to judge their seasons from a distance, here are five Florida commits turning heads in 2026.
Cahron Wheeler, a defensive lineman ranked No. 119 overall, is doing exactly what a trench prospect is supposed to do: wrecking plays behind the line. The Maryland native was one of the commits who stood out on film right away, and he’s backed that up this fall with eight tackles for a loss. That already tops his total from last season, when he finished with six.
Andrew Beard II has been one of the more productive backs in the group. Florida had to hold off Clemson to land the Georgia native, and while his film didn’t jump off the page purely with burst, he has proven to be an effective runner who waits for the right crease and takes what’s there. The No. 170 overall prospect has already piled up more than 800 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns.
Ja’Bios Smith, the linebacker ranked No. 184 overall, is another commit whose game doesn’t always get rewarded in the camp-and-ranking process. Back in July, the point was made that some styles just don’t show as cleanly in that setting, and Smith is a good example.
He has been everywhere for Swainsboro High, recording 69 tackles with 14 for a loss. Swainsboro is only 2-5, so there may not be a playoff run to chase 100 tackles, but the production is still strong.
Florida also has two commits on offense and defense, respectively, who are doing a lot of damage in their own ways. Cameron Douglas, who was ranked 679th in the country when he committed, has shown he can do much more than block.
He’s already over 500 receiving yards this season, which pairs with the kind of nastiness that stood out when he first joined the class. The evaluation on him was never limited to just one role, and he’s showing why.
Then there’s Kendrick, the Tampa native who has become a force for Carrollwood Day School. The Gators were careful not to overhype him when he committed, but he’s been a wrecking ball this year and has helped push CDS into the top 25 overall in Florida. He currently has 18 tackles for a loss.
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Florida's Title Push Comes With Massive Pressure Now
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The valuation attached to the roster is reportedly above $25 million, with only Louisville and Kentucky spending more on their mens basketball teams. Haugh is expected to be the highest earner in mens college basketball, which underscores how much pressure now comes with Floridas title push. For a program trying to stay among the national heavyweights, the dollars are no longer just a backdrop - they are part of the expectation. [Read more 🡒]