Florida Gators Hold Strong on Early Signing Day Despite Coaching Transition
The Early Signing Period arrived with plenty of uncertainty in Gainesville. Florida’s new head coach, Jon Sumrall, is still wrapping up duties at Tulane, and the program is only six weeks removed from parting ways with Billy Napier. But despite the turbulence, the Gators managed to keep their recruiting class intact-and even made a few key wins along the way.
Florida signed 15 scholarship players and currently sits with the No. 16 class in the nation, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. That’s no small feat given the coaching turnover and the intense competition for top-tier talent. The Gators didn’t just hold serve-they beat out some heavy hitters.
Let’s break down what this class means for the future of Florida football and why it could be a foundational group for Sumrall’s new era.
Big-Time Wins in Key Battles
Recruiting is often about momentum and relationships, and Florida found a way to finish strong in both areas. The Gators fended off a late push from Ohio State to keep in-state cornerback CJ Bronaugh, a dynamic playmaker from Windermere. They also edged out Oklahoma for Davian Groce, a big-play wideout from Texas who headlines the 2026 class as the No. 49 overall prospect.
Edge rusher KJ Ford chose Florida over Texas A&M, while quarterback Will Griffin, a highly productive signal-caller out of Tampa Jesuit, picked the Gators despite interest from a who’s-who of national powers: Ohio State, Oregon, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M.
These head-to-head wins matter. Not only do they bring elite talent into the locker room, but they also send a message: Florida still has recruiting juice, even in the middle of a coaching transition.
Trenches Get Reinforcements
Offensive line depth was a priority, and the Gators addressed it in a big way-literally. With three veteran starters, including All-America center Jake Slaughter, moving on, Florida signed five scholarship linemen, all of whom bring size and upside.
- Chancellor Campbell (6-7 ½, 307) out of Lakewood in St. Petersburg brings prototypical tackle length.
- G’Nivre Carr (6-4 ¼, 309) from IMG Academy is an Ocala native with a strong frame and good feet.
- Tyler Chukuyem (6-5 ½, 285) from Georgia and Desmond Green (6-4 ½, 343) from South Carolina add versatility and power.
- Javarii Luckas (6-5, 305), hailing from Belle Glade’s Glades Central, rounds out the group with a sturdy build and a strong punch.
While all five are considered developmental prospects-each rated as a 3-star-they give Florida a much-needed infusion of talent and depth up front. And don’t overlook Corey Brown, a 6-1, 280-pound walk-on from Gainesville and the younger brother of current Gator receiver Vernell Brown III. He adds a local, legacy element to the room.
The Fab Five: Headliners of the Class
Let’s take a closer look at the five prospects who headline this class-not just for their rankings, but for what they bring to the field.
WR Davian Groce (Frisco Lone Star, TX)
At 6-2, 190 pounds, Groce is a home-run threat every time he touches the ball.
In 2025, he averaged a staggering 24.1 yards per catch, racking up 890 yards and 12 touchdowns on just 37 receptions. Over his high school career, he totaled 56 touchdowns-27 receiving, 26 rushing, and three on returns.
That kind of production speaks to his versatility and explosiveness.
CB CJ Bronaugh (Windermere, FL)
Bronaugh isn’t just fast-he’s track-star fast.
He won the Class 4A state title in the 100 meters with a time of 10.34 seconds and has won 13 straight races in the event. On the football field, he’s just as electric: 53 tackles, eight interceptions (four returned for touchdowns), and two kick return scores over the past two seasons.
He’s a game-changer on the back end.
Edge KJ Ford (Duncanville, TX)
Ford is the kind of edge rusher who can tilt a game.
The 6-3 ½, 245-pounder piled up 132 tackles, 44 tackles for loss, and 15.5 sacks over three seasons at powerhouse Duncanville. He’s ranked the No. 16 edge rusher in the nation and will bring immediate pressure potential to the Gators’ defensive front.
QB Will Griffin (Tampa Jesuit, FL)
Griffin’s been a starter since eighth grade, and the numbers are eye-popping: 12,299 passing yards, 143 touchdown passes, and a career completion rate north of 62%.
In his senior year alone, he threw for 2,534 yards and 37 touchdowns on just 246 attempts. He’s accurate, experienced, and unafraid to push the ball downfield-an ideal fit for a modern college offense.
DL JaReylan McCoy (Tupelo, MS)
At 6-6, 245 pounds, McCoy has the length and motor to be a difference-maker.
He posted 60 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and 25 quarterback hurries in 2025, earning a spot as the No. 20 defensive lineman in the country. His frame and quickness give Florida a high-upside piece on the defensive line.
The Rest of the Class
Beyond the headliners, Florida added depth at several key positions:
- OL: Chancellor Campbell, G’Nivre Carr, Tyler Chukuyem, Desmond Green, Javarii Luckas
- DL: Kendall Guervil (Fort Myers)
- TE: Kent Heze (Brunswick, GA)
- LB: Malik Morris (Lakeland)
- WRs: Marquez Daniel (Tuskegee, AL), Justin Williams (Gainesville)
Each of these players brings developmental potential and positional depth-essential pieces for building a sustainable roster.
Still in Play
Florida’s class isn’t quite finished. The Gators are still in the mix for safety Kaiden Hall out of Milton, who could sign by the end of the week.
They’re also pushing for cornerback CJ Hester (Cocoa High) and tight end Kekua “Rhino” Aumua from Kahuku, Hawaii. Any of those additions could give Florida a late bump in the rankings and fill out the class with more athletic upside.
One That Got Away
Not every story ends with a signature. Carsyn Baker, a four-star running back from Georgia, decommitted from Florida after Napier’s departure. Baker had originally committed during a flurry of pledges in June but reopened his recruitment following a record-setting performance by sophomore back Jadan Baugh against FSU and the coaching change in October.
Baker, the No. 15 RB in the country, rushed for 1,799 yards and 21 touchdowns on just 199 carries this past season. He’s a big-time talent and a tough loss, no question-but one that makes sense given the timing and backfield depth.
Final Thoughts
Considering the circumstances, Florida’s class is more than just solid-it’s a statement. The Gators didn’t just hold onto key commitments; they went out and won battles against some of the sport’s biggest names. Jon Sumrall hasn’t even officially taken the reins in Gainesville, but the foundation is being laid.
This class brings speed, size, and production at critical positions. And while there’s still work to do, especially in the portal and with late signees, the Gators are showing they’re not waiting around to rebuild-they’re reloading.