As Jon Sumrall begins to put his stamp on the Florida Gators football program, the newly minted head coach is wasting no time reshaping the roster and laying the foundation for the future. After making a splash in the transfer portal with 25 additions-including Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo and Auburn wideout Eric Singleton Jr.-Sumrall is now turning his attention to high school recruiting, with the 2027 class taking center stage.
That next wave of talent could define the early years of Sumrall’s tenure in Gainesville. Let’s take a closer look at three names Gators fans should know as the recruiting cycle heats up.
Elijah Haven - Five-Star Quarterback, Baton Rouge, LA
Quarterback is the cornerstone of any recruiting class, and for Florida, Elijah Haven is the name at the top of the board. A five-star talent with elite arm strength and poise beyond his years, Haven has been on the Gators’ radar for a while. Florida was once seen as a frontrunner for his commitment, but the coaching change introduced some uncertainty into the equation.
That said, Sumrall and his staff have done the smart thing-getting Haven back on campus and reintroducing him to the program under the new regime. That visit could prove pivotal.
Haven has narrowed his list to four schools: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, and Florida. The competition is fierce, but the Gators are still very much in the mix.
If Sumrall can land Haven, it would be a statement-not just about his ability to recruit top-tier quarterbacks, but about the direction of the program. Haven has the tools to be a program-changer, and his decision will be one of the most closely watched storylines in this cycle.
Maxwell Hiller - Five-Star Interior Offensive Lineman, Pennsylvania
Every elite quarterback needs protection, and that’s where Maxwell Hiller enters the picture. The top-ranked interior offensive lineman in the 2027 class, Hiller is a consensus top-three player in Pennsylvania and a mauler in the trenches. He’s got the kind of versatility and physicality that can anchor a line for years.
Hiller was one of the first prospects offered by Sumrall’s staff, and that early attention seems to have paid off. He recently visited Gainesville and, by all accounts, came away impressed with what Florida had to offer.
Landing Hiller would be a major recruiting win-not just because of his talent, but because it would show Florida can pull elite linemen out of the Northeast, an area that hasn’t traditionally been a Gators stronghold. Building a national recruiting footprint is key for any coach looking to build a perennial contender, and Hiller could be a big step in that direction.
Anthony Cartwright - Four-Star Tight End, 6'5", 235 lbs
The modern tight end is a matchup nightmare, and Anthony Cartwright fits that mold perfectly. At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, Cartwright brings a rare blend of size, athleticism, and soft hands that make him a weapon in any offensive scheme.
Florida offered Cartwright back in April 2025, and despite a crowded field of suitors-including Big Ten powerhouses Michigan and Ohio State-the Gators remain firmly in the hunt. Timing could be on Florida’s side here.
Michigan is undergoing a coaching transition, and Cartwright doesn’t have a prior relationship with new head coach Kyle Whittingham. That opens the door for Sumrall’s staff to build momentum and strengthen their pitch.
Cartwright’s recruitment may come down to which staff can build the strongest bond and present the clearest path to development. With Florida’s recent emphasis on using tight ends in creative ways, there's a real opportunity to sell him on being a focal point in the Gators’ offense.
What It All Means
For Jon Sumrall, this recruiting cycle is more than just filling out a depth chart-it’s about setting the tone for what Florida football will look like under his leadership. Targeting players like Haven, Hiller, and Cartwright shows a clear strategy: build from the inside out with elite linemen, secure a franchise quarterback, and surround him with dynamic playmakers.
Recruiting battles like these aren’t just won on visits or with flashy facilities-they’re won with vision, relationships, and the ability to show a recruit where they fit in the bigger picture. So far, Sumrall and his staff are doing all the right things to stay in the fight for some of the nation’s best talent.
The 2027 class is still taking shape, but if Florida can close on even one or two of these names, it could be the kind of group that jumpstarts a new era in Gainesville.