Florida Gators Set to Host No. 1 WR Easton Royal for Two Key Visits
The Gators’ recruiting momentum just got a serious boost.
A day after landing in the top six for elite 2027 running back Andrew Beard, Florida got more unexpected but welcome news on the recruiting front. Easton Royal - the No. 1-ranked wide receiver in the country for the 2027 class and a current Texas commit - has locked in not one, but two visits to Gainesville.
Royal plans to make an unofficial visit to the Swamp this March, followed by an official visit later this summer. That’s a significant development for a player of his caliber, especially considering his current pledge to the Longhorns.
Let’s be clear: this is a big deal.
At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Royal is coming off a monster junior season at Brother Martin High School in New Orleans. His numbers jump off the page - 54 catches, 1,374 yards, and 19 touchdowns. That’s an eye-popping 24.1 yards per catch, showcasing not just his speed, but his ability to stretch the field and turn routine plays into game-breaking moments.
And it wasn’t just a one-year breakout. As a sophomore, Royal put up 1,151 yards and 17 touchdowns, proving that his junior year was more of a continuation than a surprise. This kid’s been producing at a high level for a while now.
September 2025 was arguably his most dominant stretch yet. He racked up 27 catches for 622 yards and 10 touchdowns - eight through the air and two on the ground - all in a single month.
That included a ridiculous 155.5 receiving yards per game and 23.0 yards per catch. His best outing came against St.
Paul on September 12, when he torched the defense for 254 yards and three touchdowns on nine receptions. Oh, and he also threw a touchdown pass in that game, just for good measure.
It’s no surprise then that the All-State Sugar Bowl named him their September Athlete of the Month.
Royal’s talent was on full display again at the 2026 Under Armour All-America Game, where he was named MVP. One of the highlights? A diving touchdown grab on a perfectly placed ball from Notre Dame QB commit Teddy Jarrard - a play that lit up social media and underscored Royal’s ability to shine on the biggest stages.
Recruiting services are nearly unanimous in their praise. On3 ranks him as the No. 1 wide receiver in the nation.
The 247Sports Composite slots him at No. 12 overall nationally, No. 3 among wideouts, and the top player out of Louisiana. ESPN ranks him as the No. 4 wide receiver, No. 8 in his region, and the No. 2 overall prospect in the state.
He also holds the No. 17 spot on ESPN’s Jr. 300 list.
So yes - Florida getting not one but two visits from Royal is a headline-worthy development. While he remains committed to Texas, the door isn’t shut. Visits like these give Florida’s staff - including offensive line coach Rob Sale and wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales - a chance to make their pitch in person, build relationships, and show Royal what life in Gainesville could look like.
And the Gators aren’t the only ones chasing him. Royal’s offer list reads like a who's who of college football: Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon, Florida State, Oklahoma, and plenty more. In total, he’s been offered by over 30 programs, including Auburn, Miami, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, and Tennessee.
But for now, the focus is on Gainesville. Two visits.
One of the most electric receivers in the country. And a chance for Florida to make a serious impression.
Stay tuned - this recruitment is far from over.