Florida Gators’ 10 Most Wanted in the 2025 Class: Defensive Edition

Who are Florida’s top recruiting targets in the 2025 class?

Welcome to the Ten Most Wanted.

Here, we’ve considered where we think each player sits on the Florida board, the program’s need at the position, the Gators’ chances of landing the prospect as well as the recruit’s skill set. Also, Florida must have at least a somewhat realistic shot of landing a prospect for him to make our list.

The Ten Most Wanted is extremely fluid. In recruiting, things can change on both sides in an instant. Florida’s recruiting board will shift — and shift a lot — all the way up until National Signing Day next December, so there is a long way to go.

Finally … please remember, this is our list, not the Florida staff’s, and it’s in no specific order.

With that said, below are Gators Online’s top-10 most-wanted defensive prospects for the 2025 cycle:

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– 5-star S DJ Pickett, Zephyrhills (Fla.) High: This is a close battle featuring the likes of Florida, Georgia and Michigan. Miami is starting to gain ground as well after playing host during the final weekend of July. As for the Gators, they have received plenty of visits and the presence of Corey Raymond is playing a significant role in UF’s strong standing as well. They are recruiting Pickett as a bigger cornerback. Florida would likely be the choice if Pickett was to stay in the Sunshine State, at least as of today, but keep an eye on the Wolverines. Pickett’s mother graduated from Michigan and family still resides in the state too. That could be the early front runner.

– 5-star DL Armondo Blount, Miami Central: Although the Gators are trending in the RPM, Blount previously stated that Miami and Florida State are in the best spot. Those programs have been very consistent, but he also mentioned Florida and Georgia when speaking with GO on July 7. Those are the four programs he is eager to visit whenever time permits. Florida is definitely a top school though. Four trips to Gainesville have taken place since last summer and that number is likely to expand sooner than later. It’s about growing closer to the staff. Former staffer Kareem Reid, who is now back in the prep ranks, previously served as Blount’s go-to contact, so getting him on campus for more time around the staff is a priority.

– 5-star EDGE Zayden Walker, Ellaville (Ga.) Schley County: The elite pass rusher has visited the Gators four times and was most recently in Gainesville back in March. On top of that, Billy Napier’s is always returning the favor during the evaluation periods, as Florida has dropped by Scley County numerous times. It’s a fairly wide open recruitment. Walker’s brother plays at Auburn, so the Tigers will be a threat until the end, while Georgia, Florida State, Miami and South Carolina are heavily in the picture too. Florida just needs to keep taking advantage of proximity by consistently getting Walker on campus.

– 4-star LB Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy: This is arguably the top target at linebacker for the Gators. Owusu-Boateng relishes the home-like feel in Gainesville and is feeling like a major priority for several staff members, including inside linebackers coach Jay Bateman. And although he has yet to name any leaders, Owusu-Boatseng says Florida is one of the schools that “really stands out” to him. He has visited multiple times this year and plans to return in September for a game. The Gators’ odds of 31.3 percent are good enough for No. 1 in the RPM; however, there is no doubt they have plenty of top-level competition.

– 4-star LB Tarvos Alford, Vero Beach (Fla.) High: With plans to decide in December, Alford is one of the 2025 prospects Gators fans are already quite familiar with. I submitted an RPM in favor of Florida earlier this year and still feel good about that pick; however, Ohio State is another school to monitor closely. The Gators were labeled the front runner for a number of months before the Buckeyes entered the picture to form a top two. Florida is going all in here and it’s definitely paying off. Georgia, Miami, Florida State and Tennessee are some other schools in the mix.

– 4-star S Hylton Stubbs, Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin: This is another prospect trending toward the Gators in the RPM. Also, when speaking with Gators Online in recent months, Stubbs said Florida is the school he has the best relationship with. The Gators were actually on the outside looking in to start the year, but nearly a handful of trips to Gainesville since then changed that. Additional schools to monitor include Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. Strapping up the pads in the SEC is a major appeal to the top-100 prospect. It’s too early to make a prediction, but UF is generating the most buzz right now.

– 4-star DL Jalen Wiggins, Tallahassee (Fla.) James Rickards: Florida could very well be the leader for Wiggins too. It’s the lifelong favorite school and one that has already hosted the top-35 prospect four times this year. It’s also worth noting that Napier is personally involved in this recruitment and telling Wiggins he is a top priority. I’m sure that hits a little bit different coming from the head coach. Florida State and UCF are the other schools Wiggins recently placed in his top group, but I like where the Gators stand the most right now.

– 4-star CB Onis Konanbanny, Rabun Gap (Ga.) Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School: We just wrote about Konanbanny earlier this week, and it’s clear that Corey Raymond has him near the top of the board. The Gators are very high on the DB’s list as well. Konanbanny grew up in France, now lives in London, and spends the school year in the United States for his education and football. The top-100 prospect said getting down to Gainesville for a game day in the fall is a top priority, and with him attending school in Georgia, there is a good chance those plans come to fruition. The Gators love Konanbanny’s ability as a press-corner but also his journey to the states. Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio State, Michigan, USC and Florida State are additional offers of note.

– 4-star DL Ethan Utley, Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth: Florida could be the out-of-state school sitting in the best spot right now. Utley has made two appearances in Gainesville, with the most recent meeting having taken place in early June. He is constructing personal relationships with Billy Napier and Sean Spencer and spent a significant amount of time with each of them during the last visit. Napier’s laid-back personality and reputation as a players coach stood out to Utley’s mother as well. So, the Gators are making a strong case here. Tennessee and LSU are schools that have also received multiple visits. While it’s early, the chances of Utley staying put in the Southeast are quite high.

– 4-star CB Ben Hanks Jr., Miami Booker T. Washington: I was going back and forth for this final spot, but you can’t ignore Hanks’ family connection. He hasn’t visited the Gators as much as other prospects but did return to Gainesville in June for a visit and camp. According to Hanks, the Gators “are up there for sure.” He definitely likes the idea of following in his father’s footsteps and also added that “everything is just amazing” at Florida, citing its coaching staff and culture. Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, Miami and Florida State are some other schools to monitor in Hanks’ recruitment. I don’t see the South Florida native making a decision for quite some time.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

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