Florida Gators recruiting: The defensive Hot Board

The Florida Gators enter weekend No. 3 of their summer official visit season with five commitments — and only two on defense — in their 2025 recruiting class, which means there’s lots of work ahead for Billy Napier & Co. before the early signing period in December.

**RELATED: Florida’s 2025 commitment list

Who are the top defensive targets and what is the Gators’ standing with each? The Hot Board has some of the answers. Below are the recruits we think (“think” being the key word) are the main prospects at each position and my guesses at Florida’s chances of signing them as of today.

Remember, this all my opinion. The folks at the Florida Gators football complex may have a different take.

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Defensive line (3-4 est.)

Name (star rating)HometownUF OVPreviousCurrent/UF%Jeramiah McCloud (3)Havana, Fla.5-31GATORS COMMITGATORS COMMITJarquez Carter (3)Newberry, Fla.5-3155%50%Malik Autry (4)Opelika, Ala.6/14AUBURN COMMIT/40%AUBURN COMMIT/35%Myron Charles (4)Port Charlotte, Fla.5-3125%25%Derry Norris (3) Port Orange, Fla.TBD25%20%Floyd Boucard (3) Miami, Fla.–20%15%Xavier Ukponu (3)Denton, Texas–15%15%Kevin Oatis (4)Hattiesburg, Miss.–15%15%Zavion Hardy (3)East Miss. CC.–15%15%Jayden-Jamal Hanne (3)Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.–15%15%Josiah Sharma (3)Sacramento, Calif.–15%15%

Penn State gained some optimism during Carter’s recent official visit, but many sources still view Florida as the favorite. That said, it’s enough to downgrade his percentage slightly. The Gators host Autry this weekend and he’s visited them more than a half dozen times. Florida has always felt like it had a legitimate chance. But at the same time, Auburn is confident it will hold onto him. FSU leads for Charles in our opinion but Texas can’t be counted out and Florida remains in the mix.

Edge (2)

Name (star rating)HometownUFOVPreviousCurrent/UF%Jalen Wiggins (4)Tallahassee, Fla.6-07GATORS COMMITGATORS COMMITCedric Works (4)Dayton, Ohio6-1420%30%Javion Hilson (4)Cocoa (Fla.)5-31FSU COMMIT/35%FSU COMMIT/30%Romando Johnson (3)West Palm Beach, Fla.–25%25%Jakaleb Faulk (4)Highland Home, Ala.6-07AUBURN COMMIT/15%AUBURN COMMIT/20%Isaiah Gibson (5)Warner Robins, Ga.TBDUSC TROJANS COMMIT/15%USC TROJANS COMMIT/15%Richard Scott (3)Fort Lauderdale, Fla.–15%15%

This probably is the most difficult position group for us to get a handle on at the moment. What we do know is this: Even with Wiggins committed, the Gators continue to recruit other edge prospects. Wiggins seems to be fairly solid to Florida. With Works, Kentucky and Penn State might be the main competition entering his official visit. Hilson talked up Florida pretty good after a recent official to Gainesville but then Texas hosted him and now the Longhorns might be the program closest to FSU (at the moment).

Linebacker (2)

Name (star rating)HometownUFOVPreviousCurrent/UF%Myles Johnson (3)Brewton, Ala. 6-07ALABMA COMMIT/40%ALABMA COMMIT/50%Christian Gass (4)Covington, Ga.5-3150%45%Tavion Wallace (4)Jesup, Ga.6-1440%35%Ty Jackson (4)Loxahatchee, Fla.–15%30%Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng(4)Bradenton, Fla.TBD35%30%

Johnson officially visited Florida last weekend and then returned to Gainesville on Thursday for an unofficial. The Gators are in a strong spot but Ole Miss will host him this weekend. Gass is supposed to be at Georgia this weekend while Wallace and Jackson will officially visit the Gators. Florida might be third behind FSU and Georgia for Wallace. The Gators surprisingly got Jackson to visit, so perhaps they have a better shot there than what we’ve thought. Owusu-Boateng might official to Florida this fall.

Cornerback (1-2)

Name (star rating)HometownUFOVPreviousCurrent/UF%Ben Hanks (4)Miami, Fla.6-0730%40%DJ Pickett (5)Zephyrhills, Fla. –25%25%Antonio Branch (3)Miami, Fla.6-1430%20%

Having added young transfers Jameer Grimsley (Alabama, 2024 signee) and Cormani McClain (Colorado, 2023 signee), that puts a lot less pressure on the Gators here this cycle. Pickett is the clear top target and Florida is working hard to move up his list — but LSU or even Miami might be the favorites at this time. The Florida Gators seem to have made a significant move with Hanks during his official visit last weekend.

Safety (2-3)

Name (star rating)HometownUFOVPreviousCurrent/UF%Kaylib Singleton(3)Fleming Island, Fla.5-3155%50%Hylton Stubbs (4)Jacksonville, Fla.6-14USC TROJANS COMMIT/45%USC TROJANS COMMIT/45%Jaylan Morgan (4)Murfreesboro, Tenn.5-3140%35%Bryce Fitzgerald(4)Miami, Fla.6-1430%35%Lagonza Hayward(4)Lyons, Ga.6-1430%30%Trey McNutt (5)Shaker Heights, Ohio6-0720%20%

Florida seems to be in a strong spot with Singleton, but he’ll now officially visit Michigan next weekend. Meanwhile, the Gators remain optimistic about flipping Stubbs, who is in Gainesville beginning Friday. Fitzgerald and Hayward also officially visit this weekend. The Gators probably have a better chance with Fitzgerald as of Friday.

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