Top recruits predict Florida Gators-Utah Utes winner

Utah is ranked. The Florida Gators are not. The Utes have a veteran at quarterback and an experienced team. Florida has a transfer QB and a bunch of new, and young faces, on the roster.

And, the game is in Salt Lake City.

Bottom line: A Florida win when the teams play each other Thursday night won’t come easy.

How do top high school recruits see things shaking out in Utah? Gators Online has collected predictions from several of them — and here’s what they told us:

-5-star Florida quarterback commit DJ Lagway, Willis (Texas): “Florida. I’ll say 35-24: I feel like it’s gonna be a close game at the beginning. And the defense will then get some key stops and the offense will continue to score. That’s how I feel.”
-4-star defensive lineman LJ McCray, Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland: “Florida. I don’t have a score, I just think Florida will win.”
-4-star cornerback Zay Mincey: Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland: “I went last year. It was loud. Florida is going to win. Florida by two touchdowns.”
-4-star offensive lineman Jordan Seaton, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy: “Utah always going come to play hard but the SEC a little different so I say 35-10 (Florida).”

The Gators’ commits feel good about this game

-4-star Florida linebacker commit Myles Graham, Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz: “27-14 us.”
-4-star Florida defensive end commit Kendall Jackson, Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz: “35-20 UF. I think Coach (Billy) Napier and the rest of the coaching staff are making a great plan to win the game. I think Coach (Austin) Armstrong has a strong plan to shut them down.”
-4-star Texas defensive line commit D’antre Robinson, Orlando (Fla.) Jones: “I like Florida 28-17.”
-4-star Southern California tight end commit Walter Matthews, Hiram (Ga.): “31-24 Utah or 31-28 Florida. I see both teams having a chance.”
-4-star Florida receiver commit Tawaski “TJ” Abrams, Fort Myers (Fla.) Dunbar: “Florida — 27-21. I think they win it off the run game most likely.”

Several top uncommitted targets also favor the Gators

-4-star cornerback Jamari Howard, Miami (Fla.) Norland: Florida winning by “a lot to a little bit.”
-4-star Florida tight end commit Amir Jackson, Portal (Ga.): “I like UF to win 34-30 for the opener.”
-3-star Florida cornerback commit Teddy Foster, Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney: “Florida by two touchdowns.”
-3-star Florida offensive line commit Marcus Mascoll, Snellville (Ga.) South Gwinnett: “I got my Gators 28 to 14.”
-3-star Florida defensive line commit Michai Boireau, Fairburn (Ga.) Creekside: “It’s going to be a great game and a close one, too. I say 38-32 Florida wins.”

SIGN UP FOR THE FLORIDA GATORS NEWSLETTER AND GET BREAKING NEWS SENT TO YOU FOR FREE
-3-star Florida safety commit Josiah Davis, Nashville (Ga.) Berrien: “28-14 Florida.”
-4-star 2025 defensive lineman Brandon Brown, Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie: “I love Florida. Grew up liking them as a kid. So I like Florida to win. I think 28-14.”
-4-star 2025 UCF running back commit Taevion Swint, Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola: “I think Florida should win. I’ll say 23-14. Go Gators.”

Many in the 2025 class love the Florida Gators’ chances Thursday

-4-star 2025 Oregon receiver commit Dallas Wilson, Tampa Bay Tech (Fla.): “I think it’s gonna be tight. I’m gonna say Florida.”
-4-star 2025 linebacker Keylan Moses, Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab: “Florida.”

-3-star 2025 tight end Logan Brooking, Savannah Christian Prep (Ga.): “Florida 28-21”
-4-star 2025 offensive lineman Max Buchanan, Sanford (Fla.) Seminole: “I think it’ll be a close game but I believe Florida is gonna come out victorious with a score of 24-14.”
-4-star 2025 linebacker Darrell Johnson, Eastman (Ga.) Dodge County: “27-14 Florida.”
-3-star 2025 Auburn defensive line commit Malik Autry, Opelika (Ala.): “Florida 35-14”
-4-star 2025 receiver Koby Howard: Davie (Fla.) Western: “I got UF winning by 2 touchdowns. I see No. 1 having a big game.”

Recruits think UF will play a complete game

-4-star 2025 offensive tackle Ziyare Addison, Sumner (Fla.): “Florida 28-17”
-3-star 2025 receiver Jayvan Boggs, Cocoa (Fla.): “Florida 28-17”
-4-star 2025 receiver Naeshaun Montgomery, West Palm Beach (Fla.) Cardinal Newman: “24-17 (Gators)
-4-star 2025 offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley Northwest: “Florida 28-24”
-4-star 2025 safety Eric Winters, Enterprise (Ala.): “Florida 34-17.”
-3-star 2025 offensive lineman Mal Waldrep, Phenix City (Ala.) Central: “34-17 Florida”
-2026 OL G’Nivre Carr, Ocala (Fla.) Trinity Catholic: “24-21 Gators”

SIGN UP FOR THE FLORIDA GATORS NEWSLETTER AND GET BREAKING NEWS SENT TO YOU FOR FREE

The post Top recruits predict Florida Gators-Utah Utes winner appeared first on On3.