Florida’s win over Ole Miss may have done more than boost the Gators on the field. It could also help them make a real move in the recruiting race, especially with one of the top prospects in FSU’s backyard.
That prospect is Ar’Tavian “Bubba” Brown, a wide receiver from Tallahassee who is back at the Florida State University School this year after previously playing at Lowndes High in Valdosta, GA. The 6’2”, 190-pound receiver is a consensus four-star and ESPN has him highest, slotting him at No. 105 overall in the class of 2028.
Brown’s appeal shows up quickly on film. He has the size to win above defensive backs, but he also brings enough wiggle to turn short catches into bigger gains.
He can take a screen and make it dangerous in a hurry. His public film is still limited, so there’s only so much to draw from in terms of his route tree, but the athletic upside is obvious enough to explain why Jon Sumrall and his staff are so interested.
Brown also plays basketball and averaged 13.6 points per game last year.
Florida got involved early, extending an offer to Brown in March. Florida State has been one of the more prominent programs in the mix, which makes sense given that he’s right in their backyard, and he has also taken unofficial visits this season to Auburn and Alabama.
The momentum seems to be tilting toward Florida now. Earlier in the week, 247’s Tyler Harden and Zach Blostein projected Brown to end up with the Gators, and Chad Simmons of Rivals has since joined in with the same prediction, saying Brown will put on a Gator hat.
Florida currently has three players committed in its class of 2028, but that number appears likely to climb soon based on the buzz coming out of the weekend.
In Other News...
Why Floridas Offense Should Worry Missouri More Than Fans Realize
Floridas offense has shown it can turn ordinary field position into real trouble for an opponent, and that matters in a matchup where Missouri has leaned heavily on short fields. The Gators have already found the end zone on drives that begin around their own 35-yard line, which suggests they are capable of stacking plays, surviving long possessions and finishing those marches with points instead of settling for field goals.
Missouris offense has been productive, but much of that damage has come with favorable starting position, and its average touchdown drive is the shortest in the country. Even more telling, the Tigers have struggled to turn drives after punts or kickoffs into meaningful production against FBS opponents, while Florida has had success doing exactly that with 16 touchdowns on those kinds of possessions in its games. For a Missouri defense that may not be able to count on easy margins, the Gators ability to travel the length of the field is the part that should raise the most concern. [Read more 🡒]
Brian Kelly Just Put Florida's Fast Start On Upset Watch
Floridas early surge is drawing plenty of confidence from national observers, but it is not unanimous. As the Gators head into Saturdays 3:30 p.m. ET matchup at Missouris Faurot Field, three CBS Sports analysts backed No. 8 Florida to keep rolling, pointing to a rushing attack that has given the offense a sturdy identity and to questions about how Missouri will hold up defensively.
Brian Kelly was the outlier, though, and his pick landed with some weight because of the program context around it. The former LSU and Notre Dame head coach went against the grain and called for No. 25 Missouri to spring the upset, putting a little extra tension on a game Florida was expected to control. For a team trying to protect its ranking and keep its fast start intact, it is the sort of outside skepticism that adds a little more edge to an already interesting SEC road test. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Recruiting Momentum Just Got Another Big 2028 Boost
Floridas recent recruiting surge picked up another notable jolt when Keoni Snipes, a four-star edge rusher in the 2028 class, included the Gators among his top-10 schools. It is another sign that Florida is making itself a real presence with elite young defenders, as the program continues to stack interest from highly regarded prospects while climbing in the national class rankings.
Jon Sumrall has made no secret of how much recruiting matters to the long-term health of the roster, especially when it comes to building depth and raising the teams competitive ceiling. Snipes inclusion of Florida adds to that momentum, giving the Gators another foothold in a cycle that could shape the future of the front seven if they can keep turning early traction into real staying power. [Read more 🡒]