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Tracking the Florida Gators' 2027 Recruiting Class

Jon Sumrall has wasted no time to begin building his first full-fledged recruiting class as the head coach of the Florida Gators.
Cam Parker|
Jon Sumrall has wasted no time in building his first full-fledged recruiting class as the head coach of the Florida Gators.
Jon Sumrall has wasted no time in building his first full-fledged recruiting class as the head coach of the Florida Gators. | Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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GAINESVILLE, Fla.-- Jon Sumrall has wasted no time in building his first full-fledged recruiting class as the head coach of the Florida Gators, already making his mark in the 2027 recruiting class.

“I believe that the lifeblood of your program is recruiting good high school players, and at Florida, elite high school football players," he said in his introductory press conference on Dec. 1. "It starts here at home. We're privileged to be in the state of Florida which has got just such a great hotbed for not just high school football players but great coaches, and we don't have to go very far to find what we need to win championships.

"We're also very privileged, though, to have a national brand where we can go all across the country and get the best of the best, the cream of the crop.” 

Florida Gators on SI is tracking all of the Gators' commits in its 2027 recruiting class, which ranks as high as eighth nationally, according to the 247 Sports Composite, while also tracking other recruits predicted to choose Florida.

Commits (26)

QB Davin Davidson - Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 6 PP-QB (ESPN), No. 113 overall (Rivals Industry)
  • Height/weight: 6-6, 215 pounds
  • Commitment date: April 9, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Auburn, Georgia and Kentucky
  • Why Florida, via 247 Sports: "It was really the relationships I've had. Since the first day they got on staff, they called me, they told me I was a priority, and then they came and saw me a few weeks later. I was offered, and the recruiting never really slowed down from there. And then, getting on campus and seeing the practice. That was probably the most electric practice I've ever seen. Offensively, too, really explosive. That's what I'm looking to play in, and they truly care about their players."
  • Notable: One of the fastest risers in the class, moving over 700 spots up in the 247 Sports Composite rankings since January.

RB Andrew Beard - Bogard (Ga.) Prince Avenue School

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 11 RB (247 Sports), No. 175 overall (247 Sports Composite)
  • Height/weight: 5-10, 195 pounds
  • Commitment date: May 8, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Clemson, Georgia, and Tennessee
  • Notable: Florida's first running back commit of the cycle. Committed to Florida despite Clemson seemingly leading for most of his recruitment and despite his father being a former Georgia football player.

WR Tramond Collins - Cottondale (Fla.)

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 5 ATH (ESPN), No. 103 overall (Rivals)
  • Height/weight: 6-2, 190 pounds
  • Commitment date: March 11, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Alabama, LSU, among others.
  • Why Florida, via On3: "(Sumrall) recruits me hard, and he tells and shows me how much they need me to be a part of their team. Every time I talk to him, I don’t question how bad they want me to be a part of their program. He’s put a bunch of effort, but so have the other people on the staff. They’re all showing it.”
  • Notable: Previously committed to Florida under the previous staff before de-committing after Sumrall's hiring.

WR Anthony Jennings - Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 32 WR, No. 205 overall (Rivals)
  • Height/weight: 6-1, 175 pounds
  • Commitment date: April 25, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Syracuse and Auburn.
  • Why Florida, via Florida Gators on SI: "A program just needs to make me feel welcomed and make me feel like I belong there... The biggest factor definitely will be somewhere I will play early on as a freshman and develop into an NFL receiver.”
  • Notable: Runs a reported 4.3-second 40-yard dash.

WR Elias Pearl - Port Charlotte (Fla.)

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 9 WR, No. 55 overall (Rivals)
  • Height/weight: 5-11, 185 pounds
  • Commitment date: May 19, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Florida State, Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss.
  • Notable: Florida's highest-rated receiver commit.

TE Jackson Ballinger - Centerburg (Oh.)

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 19 TE (ESPN), No. 434 overall (Rivals Industry)
  • Height/weight: 6-4, 245 pounds
  • Commitment date: Feb. 24, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Auburn, Indiana, Vanderbilt, among others.
  • Why Florida, via Hightop Sports: "Just the (January) visit like that, where it was my first time meeting the staff, and the staff was having it first interactions... it felt more complete than a visit I've gone on to other schools that are fully together. That just stood out to me, and when I went home, I thought about it... I wanted to commit a week or two after that visit."
  • Notable: Florida's first offensive commitment under the new staff. Was also recruited by the previous staff.

TE Tommy Douglas - Princeton (N.J.) the Hun School

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 15 TE (ESPN), No. 362 overall (Rivals Industry)
  • Height/weight: 6-4, 245 pounds
  • Commitment date: April 16, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Alabama, Penn State and Vanderbilt.
  • Notable: Committed to Florida despite not visiting campus

OL Maxwell Hiller - Coatesville (Pa.) Area

  • Rating/ranking: 5-Star, No. 1 iOL (consensus), No. 2 overall (247 Sports)
  • Height/weight: 6-5.5, 305 pounds
  • Commitment date: April 8, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Alabama, Tennessee and Ohio State
  • Why Florida, via ESPN's Eli Lederman: “I’ve trained with (Phil Trautwein). I’ve watched him work with players. He’s more than a coach for me. He’s my guy. That relationship right there is a huge part of why we got interested in Florida.”
  • Notable: Florida's first five-star high school commitment on the offensive line since 2015.

OL Elijah Hutcheson - Roanoke (Va.) North Cross School

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 6 OT, No. 77 overall (Rivals)
  • Height/weight: 6-5, 260 pounds
  • Commitment date: May 5, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Clemson, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech
  • Why Florida, via Rivals: "After I went down there for my spring visit and saw them get to work, I knew that was the spot that was going to push myself to be the best. I'm excited to be a Gator."

OL Peyton Miller - Anna (Tx.)

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 1 C, No. 68 overall (ESPN)
  • Height/weight: 6-5, 305 pounds
  • Commitment date: April 27, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Clemson, Texas Tech and Texas
  • Why Florida, via Dave Campbell's Texas Football: “Coach Traut came from Penn State. He put three guys in the NFL this year from Penn State. I've grown a great relationship with him. He offered me when I was a freshman... Once he went to Florida, I was able to keep that relationship.”
  • Notable: Gives Florida its first duo of offensive line commits inside the top 150 nationally since 2012.

EDGE Cahron Wheeler - Baltimore St. Paul's School

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 10 edge rusher, No. 90 overall (Rivals)
  • Height/weight: 6-5, 245 pounds
  • Commitment date: June 5, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Auburn, Clemson and Tennessee
  • Why Florida, via Rivals' Chad Simmons: “Florida is a great environment. Everyone at Florida, on and off the field, supports each other. The coaching staff doesn’t just feel like a normal coaching staff — it feels like a family. Florida also has the academic support that I need. I’m proud to be a Gator.”
  • Notable: Listed as either an edge rusher or defensive lineman, giving Florida versatility. Projected to play at the field end position opposite of the Jack linebacker.

DL De'Voun Kendrick - Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day

  • Rating/ranking: 3-Star, No. 38 DL (ESPN), No. 626 (Rivals Industry)
  • Height/weight: 6-4, 330 pounds
  • Commitment date: April 27, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Georgia Tech, Louisville and Texas A&M
  • Why Florida, via Rivals: “The coaching staff in general, man. Coach (Gerald) Chatman, Coach (Jeremy) Patterson, I just have a great relationship with both of them. Coach (Jon) Sumrall especially, too. Great relationships. Great education, and I'm looking for other things outside of football."
  • Notable: Florida's first defensive line commit of the 2027 recruiting class.

DL Stive-Bentley Keumajou Yondui - Coral Gables (Fla.)

  • Rating/ranking: 3-Star, No. 43 DL (247 Sports), No. 548 overall (Rivals Industry)
  • Height/weight: 6-3, 295 pounds
  • Commitment date: May 6, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Auburn, Georgia, Miami and Texas
  • Why Florida, via Florida Gators on SI: “UF has made me feel like a priority since the day they offered me and I’ve built a great relationship with most of the coaches already. (Their message) is that I'm a top priority and they can get me to the league.”

DL Cain Van Norden - District Heights (Md.) Bishop McNamara

  • Rating/ranking: 3-Star, No. 44 DL (ESPN), No. 623 overall (Rivals Industry)
  • Height/weight: 6-7, 285 pounds
  • Commitment date: May 15, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Georgia, Maryland and Ole Miss
  • Why Florida, via 247 Sports: "I feel like I can get a lot of development there since I'm new to football. I feel like they're doing a good job of making me a priority, and they have great academic support and I made great relationships with the coaches."

DL Zahmar Tookes - Rochester (N.Y.) Brighton

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 20 DL, No. 182 overall (Rivals)
  • Height/weight: 6-4, 256 pounds
  • Commitment date: June 3, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Penn State and Nebraska
  • Why Florida, via Rivals' Chad Simmons: "The feeling I had led to my decision. The D-line room and some of the players I was talking to there also helped with my commitment. I really enjoyed my time, and I think Florida is the place for me."
  • Notable: Florida's first blue-chip defensive line commit.

LB Tre Geathers - Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day School

  • Rating/ranking: 3-Star, No. 45 LB (Rivals), No. 584 overall (247 Sports Composite)
  • Height/weight: 6-2, 215 pounds
  • Commitment date: June 18, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Georgia and Tennessee
  • Notable: Son of former UGA defensive end Robert Geathers.

LB Ellis McGaskin - Mobile (Ala.) Williamson

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 7 LB, No. 229 overall (ESPN)
  • Height/weight: 6-0, 215 pounds
  • Commitment date: June 6, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Florida State and LSU

LB Ja'Bios Smith - Swainsboro (Ga.)

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 2 LB, No. 100 overall (ESPN)
  • Height/weight: 6-2, 205 pounds
  • Commitment date: May 29, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Georgia, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Texas Tech
  • Notable: Florida's first linebacker commit of the class.

CB Raheem Floyd - East St. Louis (Ill.)

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 12 CB, No. 102 overall (ESPN)
  • Height/weight: 6-1, 175 pounds
  • Commitment date: July 7, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Missouri
  • Why Florida, via Rivals: "They got a great scheme. I feel like the coaches are very genuine," he said. "It felt like family... It kind of felt like home... They're doing something special, and I want to be a part of it."
  • Notable: No. 1 corner on Florida's recruiting board.

CB Aamaury Fountain - Warner Robins (Ga.) Northside

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 4 CB, No. 25 overall (Rivals)
  • Height/weight: 6-3, 182 pounds
  • Commitment date: April 11, 2026
  • Flipped to Florida from South Carolina
  • Why Florida, via 247 Sports' Tyler Harden: “I think it was just like, South Carolina's (head coach Shane Beamer) on the hot seat. That's really the only thing I'm worried about."
  • Notable: Florida's first flip in the 2027 class and third commit across three days.

CB Amare Nugent - Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 16 CB, No. 125 overall (Rivals)
  • Height/weight: 5-11, 178 pounds
  • Commitment date: Jan. 24, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Georgia and Indiana
  • Why Florida, via On3: “Honestly, when I got on campus and got around everyone, I knew that I was going to commit. Just how they greeted us with all the new coaches there, I was already sure before I gave them the good news, and before Coach Sumrall got as excited as he did. Seeing his reaction may have given me a little extra confirmation, but I was already sure as soon as I got on campus.”
  • Notable: Florida's first commitment in the class under Sumrall.

Star Kamauri Whitfield - Orlando (Fla.) The First Academy

  • Rating/ranking: 3-Star, No. 48 CB (247 Sports), No. 732 overall (Rivals Industry)
  • Height/weight: 5-11, 190 pounds
  • Commitment date: July 6, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Nebraska and Oregon
  • Why Florida, via 247 Sports: "The energy in the building is different, man. Coach (Jon) Sumrall, he can bring a whole type of different energy in the building. I believe they're going to win. We're going to win it all."
  • Notable: Florida's top target at the star/nickel position.

S Kailib Dillard - Tulsa (Okla.) Jenks

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 24 S, No. 244 overall (Rivals)
  • Height/weight: 6-2, 185 pounds
  • Commitment date: May 5, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Georgia and Oregon
  • Why Florida, via Rivals: "What Coach (Jon) Sumrall's doing over there, bringing the winning he had from Tulane with them being in the playoff in the Group of Five. Him bringing it over to Florida, SEC program, got a lot more resources to go out and do what they do. I know they can win it in the SEC, and then just the scheme fit with me. Being able to put me all over the field from up high to down low. Just using my versatility to its maximum."
  • Notable: Florida's first safety commit in the class.

ATH/DB Kamarion Johnson - Homerville (Ga.) Clinch County

  • Rating/ranking: 4-Star, No. 14 ATH, No. 363 overall (Rivals Industry)
  • Height/weight: 6-1, 190 pounds
  • Commitment date: June 5, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Cincinnati and Florida State
  • Why Florida, via 247 Sports' Tyler Harden: "Coach Sumrall just being a real guy, and being a great head coach and me just being in his office. He was just telling me about himself and telling me that he wanted me to be a Gator and him just telling me that he liked my personality and he liked my game."

LS Jaydee Lane - Mendenhall (Miss.) Simpson County Academy

  • Rating/ranking: 5-Star, No. 2 LS (Rubio Long Snapping)
  • Height/weight: 6-2, 220 pounds
  • Commitment date: June 8, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Mississippi State
  • Notable: Florida's first special teams commit in the class.

K/P Aaron McWilliams - Sharpsburg (Ga.) East Coweta

  • Rating/ranking: 5-Star, No. 8 K, No. 8 P (Kohl's Professional Camps)
  • Height/weight: 6-0, 175 pounds
  • Commitment date: June 22, 2026
  • Chose Florida over Georgia State, Texas State
  • Notable: Florida's first HS kicker/punter commit of the Jon Sumrall era.

Position Breakdown

  • QB (1): Davin Davidson
  • RB (1): Andrew Beard
  • WR (3): Tramond Collins, Anthony Jennings, Elias Pearl
  • TE (2): Jackson Ballinger, Tommy Douglas
  • OL (3): Maxwell Hiller, Elijah Hutcheson, Peyton Miller
  • EDGE (1): Cahron Wheeler
  • DL (4): De'Voun Kendrick, Stive-Bentley Keumajou Yondui, Cain Van Norden, Zahmar Tookes
  • LB (3): Tre Geathers, Ellis, McGaskin, Ja'Bios Smith
  • CB (3): Raheem Floyd, Aamaury Fountain, Amare Nugent
  • Star (1): Kamauri Whitfield
  • S (2): Kailib Dillard, Kamarion Johnson
  • ST (2): Jaydee Lane (LS), Aaron McWilliams (K/P)

Others with Gators Among Top Schools (1)

  • 4-Star RB Landon Williams-Callis (Top 10: Florida, Florida State, Houston, Indiana, LSU, Missouri, Oregon, SMU, Texas, Texas A&M)

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Published | Modified
Cam Parker
CAM PARKER

Cam Parker is a reporter covering the Florida Gators, Auburn Tigers and Clemson Tigers with a degree in journalism from the University of Florida. He also covers and broadcasts Alachua County high school sports with The Prep Zone and Mainstreet Daily News. When he isn't writing, he enjoys listening to '70s music such as The Band or Lynyrd Skynyrd, binge-watching shows and playing with his cat, Chester, and dog, Rufus.

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