Florida landed a notable recruiting win on Saturday, and it came with the Swamp buzzing for a different reason.
As the No. 21 Gators prepared to face No.
4 Ole Miss, Florida picked up a commitment from four-star safety Cyion Smith for the 2028 class. Smith, one of the better secondary prospects in that cycle, is staying in state after a recruitment that started with Mississippi State.
Smith, who is from Blountstown, Fla., had originally committed to the Bulldogs. But he backed off that pledge on May 8, reopening his recruitment and giving Florida a chance to get involved. The Gators offered him a scholarship eight days later, and that set off the push that ended with his decision to join Florida.
Rivals’ Chad Simmons first reported the commitment, which came after Florida had built steady momentum with Smith through the spring and summer. Smith was also in attendance Saturday to see the Gators’ Week 4 matchup with Ole Miss, making the day even more significant for the program’s recruiting efforts.
Per the 247Sports Composite rankings, Smith is the 345th-ranked prospect in the Class of 2028. He’s listed as the 29th-best safety and the 43rd-ranked player in Florida.
Florida’s work wasn’t limited to the recruiting trail, though. The Gators were also trying to handle business on the field in the first year of a new coaching regime, while attention around the program extended to what the Kalshi market is currently saying about Florida’s potential win total for the 2026 season.
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