The Billy Napier era at Florida came to a close last October, and with it, many wondered if the Gators’ 2026 recruiting class would unravel. Instead, under new head coach Jon Sumrall, Florida has not only held firm - they’ve reloaded.
The Gators are bringing in 20 new recruits in the 2026 class, and they've already made waves in the transfer portal. But it’s the incoming freshmen who are drawing the most intrigue.
Several high-upside prospects are poised to make an early impact, and if you're a Florida fan, there’s plenty to be excited about on both sides of the ball. Let’s break down six names to know - three on offense, three on defense - who could shape the next chapter of Gators football.
Offense
WR Davian Groce
When Davian Groce committed to Florida last August, it marked a major win for the Gators’ recruiting efforts. Now officially signed, the four-star speedster out of Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas, brings a rare blend of explosiveness and versatility to Gainesville.
Groce is ranked as the No. 8 wide receiver in the 2026 class by 247Sports and the No. 2 overall athlete by ESPN. He clocked a blistering 4.39-second 40-yard dash - a time that puts him in elite company, especially considering only two players dipped below 4.3 at last year’s NFL Combine.
But Groce isn’t just fast - he’s productive. Over four years, he racked up 2,429 rushing yards and 3,313 receiving yards, with over 20 touchdowns in both his sophomore and senior seasons. That kind of dual-threat production makes him a nightmare for defenses and a dream for offensive coordinators.
With multiple Florida receivers entering the transfer portal, Groce steps into a room that’s wide open for a new playmaker to emerge. Outside of Vernell Brown III, no Gator receiver averaged more than 45 yards per game in 2025. Groce has the tools to change that - and fast.
WR Justin Williams
Justin Williams isn’t just a four-star recruit - he’s a Gainesville native with deep ties to the program. Ranked as the No. 9 athlete in the class by 247Sports, Williams brings a hometown edge and a versatile skill set that could make him a fan favorite from day one.
He played just two varsity seasons at Buchholz High but made them count, amassing 4,160 all-purpose yards and 50 touchdowns. What’s more impressive is how balanced his production was - equally dangerous as a rusher and a receiver.
Williams also shares a connection with current Gator receiver Vernell Brown III, having played alongside him for the Gainesville Panthers when they were kids. Now, he’ll look to carve out his own legacy in The Swamp. With his ability to run crisp routes and make tough catches in traffic, Williams could become a key piece in Florida’s passing attack sooner rather than later.
QB Will Griffin
Every new era needs its quarterback, and Will Griffin might just be that guy. The four-star signal caller out of Tampa Jesuit signed with Florida in December and brings a résumé that turns heads: 12,299 passing yards, 143 touchdowns, and a Gatorade Player of the Year award in 2025.
Those 143 touchdowns? They’re the second-most in Florida high school history, trailing only Tucker Israel’s 162-touchdown season back in 2014.
Griffin arrives at a pivotal moment. With DJ Lagway’s departure, the Gators have a vacancy under center.
Griffin has the arm talent, the poise, and the pedigree to compete right away - but don’t be surprised if Sumrall leans on experience early while Griffin gets acclimated. Still, it’s only a matter of time before this kid gets his shot.
And when he does, he’ll be ready.
Defense
CB CJ Bronaugh
CJ Bronaugh brings speed, swagger, and serious upside to Florida’s secondary. The four-star cornerback from Winter Garden, Florida, committed in 2025 and stayed loyal to the Gators despite a late visit to Ohio State. That’s a win in itself.
Bronaugh is ranked as the No. 10 corner in his class by 247Sports, and he’s more than just a cover guy - he’s a three-time state champion sprinter with elite closing speed and natural ball skills. His zone coverage instincts and reaction time already stand out on tape, and he has the athleticism to match up with top-tier SEC receivers.
Florida’s secondary has had its ups and downs in recent years, but Bronaugh gives them a dynamic piece to build around. He’s the kind of player who can flip the field with a single play - and he’ll have a chance to do just that early in his career.
DL JaReylan McCoy
At 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds, JaReylan McCoy looks like he was built in an SEC defensive end lab. The five-star recruit out of Mississippi is ranked as the No. 3 defensive end in his class by ESPN, and his production backs up the hype: 24.5 sacks and 111 solo tackles in high school, nearly half of them for loss.
McCoy committed to Florida in June 2025 and has the kind of frame and motor that make coaches drool. He’ll be stepping into a D-line room that’s already talented, but with the departures of Michai Boireau and Brien Taylor Jr. via the portal, there’s a real opportunity for McCoy to earn snaps early.
He’s long, powerful, and disruptive - the kind of edge presence that can wreck game plans. Whether he starts or rotates in, expect McCoy to make his presence felt in the trenches.
EDGE Kevin Ford Jr.
Kevin Ford Jr. comes from a powerhouse program in Duncanville, Texas, and he’s got the numbers to show for it: 141 total tackles and 18 sacks over three varsity seasons. A consensus four-star edge rusher, Ford is a top-20 prospect at his position and brings a physical, high-motor style to Gainesville.
Florida’s defense allowed 154 rushing yards per game last season - a number that needs to come down if the Gators want to contend in the SEC. Ford might not be a day-one starter, but he adds valuable depth and upside to a front seven that’s looking to get nastier.
He’ll also benefit from learning under returning defensive line coach Gerald Chatman and veteran edge Jayden Woods. With the right development, Ford has the tools to become a premier bull rusher and a force against the run.
Final Thoughts
Florida’s 2026 class isn’t just about filling holes - it’s about laying the foundation for the program’s future under Jon Sumrall. With elite speed on the outside, a potential franchise quarterback, and game-changing defenders at every level, the Gators have reloaded in a big way.
There’s still plenty of work to do before the fall, but if this group lives up to its billing, Florida fans could be looking at the start of something special in Gainesville.