Florida Gators recruiting: The defensive Hot Board

After a recent run of commitments, the Florida Gators currently have nine verbals in the 2025 recruiting class. Even so, there’s still lots of work ahead for Billy Napier & Co. before the early signing period in December — especially on defense.

**RELATED: Florida’s 2025 commitment list

Who are the top 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 football complex may have a different take.

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Defensive line (3-4 est.)

Name (star rating)HometownUFOVPreviousCurrent/UF%Jeramiah McCloud (3)Havana, Fla.5-31GATORS COMMITGATORS COMMITMalik Autry (4)Opelika, Ala.6/14AUBURN COMMIT/35%AUBURN COMMIT/30%Xavier Ukponu (3)Denton, TexasTBD15%25%Jarquez Carter (3)Newberry, Fla.5-3145%25%Zavion Hardy (3)East Miss. CC.–15%20%Floyd Boucard (3) Miami, Fla.–15%15%

McCloud seems to be fairly locked in with the Gators. Now, they need to add a couple more pieces here. But this is one position where new names are likely to emerge and you could also see Florida circle back to some old ones. The Gators continue to work on Autry, who officially visited in June, but now Ohio State also is viewed as a challenger. Per Corey Bender of Gators Online, Ukponu will officially visit Florida this fall. He has a top three of Florida, Arkansas and LSU. Carter announces July 18 but currently is trending elsewhere. If the Gators look good this season, they could stay in the game with him.

Expected Gators edge signees (2)

Name (star rating)HometownUF OVPreviousCurrent/UF%Jalen Wiggins (4)Tallahassee, Fla.6-07GATORS COMMITGATORS COMMITJavion Hilson (4)Cocoa (Fla.)5-31FSU COMMIT/30%FSU COMMIT/20%Richard Scott (3)Fort Lauderdale, Fla.–15%15%Brooks Williams (3)Port Saint Lucie––USF COMMIT/10%Cedric Works (4)Dayton, Ohio30%KENTUCKY COMMIT/10%

Wiggins recently shut down his recruitment, which was big news for the Gators since he had been flirting some with FSU. Hilson says he’s locked in with the ‘Noles, but we wouldn’t be shocked to see him at The Swamp this season. Williams camped at Florida in June and he said the feedback was positive, though he hasn’t been offered yet.

Linebacker (2)

Name (star rating)HometownUF OVPreviousCurrent/UF%Myles Johnson (3)Brewton, Ala. 6-07ALABMA COMMIT/50%GATORS COMMITTy Jackson (4)Loxahatchee, Fla.6-1435%40%Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng(4)Bradenton, Fla.TBD30%30%Jakaleb Faulk (4)Highland Home, Ala.6-07AUBURN COMMIT/20%AUBURN COMMIT/20%Tavion Wallace (4)Jesup, Ga.6-1445%ARKANSAS COMMIT/10%

Johnson, the former Tide pledge, committed to the Gators earlier this week. Jackson, arguably Florida’s top overall defensive target, officially visited in June and now plans to return to Gainesville on July 27. He is not expected to have a commitment decision until later in the year but it appears the Gators are a strong contender, along with the likes of Alabama, FSU, Georgia and Penn State. Owusu-Boateng will officially visit Florida this season; he’s in no rush to commit. Faulk told Gators Online this week that while he’s solid to Auburn, he’s really only considering one other school and it’s Florida. If he doesn’t shut things down this summer, it’s possible he could visit the Gators for a game.

Expected Gators Cornerback signees (1-2)

Name (star rating)HometownUF OVPreviousCurrent/UF%Ben Hanks (4)Miami, Fla.6-0740%40%Chris McCorkle (3)Sarasota, Fla.––20%DJ Pickett (5)Zephyrhills, Fla. 8-3125%10%

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 but the Gators are not a strong contender with a decision coming next week. Florida made a significant move with Hanks during his official visit in June but has a battle on its hands with Miami, whom some view as the favorite. McCorkle is a former Indiana commit with a Gators offer. We’d be surprised if new names didn’t emerge soon.

Safety (2-3)

Name (star rating)HometownUFOVPreviousCurrent/UF%Bryce Fitzgerald(4)Miami, Fla.6-1445%45%Lagonza Hayward(4)Lyons, Ga.6-1440%35%Kaylib Singleton(3)Fleming Island, Fla.5-31RUTGERS/15%RUTGERS COMMIT/20%Hylton Stubbs (4)Jacksonville, Fla.6-14USC TROJANS COMMIT/45%MIAMI COMMIT/20%Trey McNutt (5)Shaker Heights, Ohio6-0720%20%Jerome Smith (3)Indianapolis (Ind.)–Miami (OH) COMMIT/TBDMiami (OH) COMMIT/TBD

Fitzgerald plans to announce in August and there apparently is optimism on both the Florida and FSU sides. Hayward commits July 27; Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee are the three to watch but there seems to be a good bit of confidence coming from Knoxville. It’s possible the Gators could circle back to Rutgers commit Kaylib Singleton of Fleming Island (Fla.), a one-time Florida lean. Smith, who claims a Michigan State offer, told Gators Online last week he’s been communicating with Florida defensive backs assistant Beyah Rasool.

PUNTER/PK (1)

Name (star rating)HometownUFOVPreviousCurrent/UF%Hayden Craig (3)North Bridgton, Me.––GATORS COMMIT

Craig committed to the Gators after visiting in June.

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