Florida’s 2027 defensive back board could get a lot cleaner very soon.
The Gators are still working through a class that has a couple of stubborn holdouts, with Jalen Brewster and Easton Royal remaining the biggest swings. Florida is battling an uphill climb there, and LSU is still looming as the team most likely to try to pull them away.
But there are two other names where Florida appears to be in much better shape, and both decisions are expected next week: cornerbacks Raheem Floyd and Kamauri Whitfield.
Floyd, the higher-ranked of the pair, was originally set to announce Wednesday before moving his commitment date to July 7. The East St.
Louis native has picked up a wave of predictions in Florida’s favor, and for much of this recruitment the race was viewed as Florida versus Missouri. The Gators still look like the team to beat, but Ole Miss may have made things a little more complicated after hosting Floyd for his final official visit.
Earlier this month, the read on Floyd’s game was clear:
“Floyd does not play like someone who is “just” 170 pounds, as his calling card on film is being a bruiser and playing like someone who could almost pass as a high school linebacker if you didn’t know any better.”
Whitfield’s process has felt even more Florida-coded for longer. The Orlando native was once committed to Tennessee before backing off that pledge in February, and since then the Gators have been the heavy favorite. He’s set to announce on July 6, one day ahead of Floyd.
Whitfield took visits to Florida, Oregon and Nebraska, and the Huskers made a real effort to get into the mix late. Still, the momentum has stayed pointed toward Gainesville. On Tuesday, 247 added multiple crystal ball predictions for Florida.
Back in February, this was the evaluation on Whitfield:
“But despite being a tick shorter than most four-star defensive backs, Whitfield plays with an edge on film that is hard to miss. He is moved all over the field, but he seems to shine most when he gets to play nickel corner.
His read of the game is excellent as he doesn’t overpursue and keeps his lane well. When he gets a chance to make a hit, he hits sometimes like a 6’3” linebacker rather than a 5’10” defensive back.”
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McClains path is not just about getting on the field again, either. Florida needs reliable play at corner, and his ability to make interceptions has given him a profile the staff can build around if the opportunity opens the way it appears it might. With the depth chart still taking shape, camp could be the stretch that determines whether McClain is simply part of the rotation or a genuine anchor on the outside. [Read more 🡒]