Florida's top 2 football recruits pick Texas A&M; they may not be done

Texas A&M currently has the nation's top-rated 2027 recruiting class, and their early success in Florida is a major reason.

The Aggies have only two commits from the Sunshine State, but it's a pair of five-star recruits.

St. Thomas Aquinas offensive tackle Mark Matthews picked Texas A&M over Miami on May 15. The 6-foot-5½, 300-pound Matthews is the consensus No. 1 offensive tackle in the nation and the top-ranked player on the USA TODAY Florida Network top 100.

Matthews joins IMG edge rusher Zyron Fostall, who committed to Texas A&M in March. Forstall (6-foot-3½, 225 pounds) is ranked No. 2 on the top 100.

If both players stick with Texas A&M through the early signing period in December, it would be the first time since the 2022 class that the top two players on the USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 signed with the same program. That also happened to be Texas A&M, which landed both Lakeland defensive lineman Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy and Monsignor Pace defensive lineman Shemar Stewart.

The Aggies might not be done in Florida, either. IMG wide receiver Eric McFarland (No. 4 top 100), Jesuit linebacker Kaden Henderson (No. 6), Jones edge rusher Fred Ards (No. 26) and West Boca safety Loia Valade have official visits scheduled to Texas A&M this summer.

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Woodson Jr. follows in father's famous footsteps

Charles Woodson Jr., perhaps the state's best known legacy recruit considering he has the same name as his legendary father, committed to his father's alma mater on May 15.

The Lake Nona safety will play for Michigan, the same program where his dad won a Heisman Trophy and national title in 1997.

The 5-11½, 170-pound Woodson Jr. is ranked No. 39 on the USA TODAY Florida Network top 100. He could be the first of the state's premier legacy recruits to commit to the same school where their father played.

St. Thomas Aquinas wide receiver Julius Jones (No. 8) has scheduled an official visit to Notre Dame, where his father (also named Julius Jones) was an All-American running back. Aquinas edge rusher Wyatt Smith (No. 19) has an official visit scheduled for Missouri, where his dad (Justin Smith) was an All-American and two-time All-Big 12 selection.

Lakeland defensive lineman Santana Harvey (No. 34) is the expectation. The son of former Florida Gators two-time All-SEC edge rusher Derrick Harvey, Santana has official visits scheduled for Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky and Notre Dame.

How does Miami's class look without Matthews?

Miami missed out on the Mark Matthews, but the Hurricanes still are doing well on the recruiting trail — both nationally and in Florida.

Miami's in-state commits include Carol City wide receiver Nick Lennear (No. 3), John Carroll Catholic offensive lineman Sean Tatum (No. 14) and McArthur safety Jaylyn Jones (No. 33). The Hurricanes also have commitments from California defensive back Donte Wright, the nation's No. 2 cornerback, and Illinois quarterback Israel Abrams, who also is ranked No. 2 at his position.

As of May 16, fifteen players on the USA Today Florida Network top 100 have official visits scheduled to Miami.

Keep an eye on Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville and Kentucky making an aggressive push in Florida. Multiple recruits and agents have spoken about both programs recently.

Louisville already has a trio of Florida commits: Cardinal Mooney defensive lineman Kaleb Exume (No. 56), Carrollwood Day athlete Brooklyn Maxey (No. 60) and South Fort Myers defensive lineman Cornelius Tims (No. 98). Seven other Florida players currently have official visits scheduled, including Booker defensive lineman Maleek Lee (No. 46) and Armwood linebacker Theo Wilson (No. 47).

Kentucky flipped American Heritage tight end Trae Proctor (No. 35) from Auburn in April. Their current list of Florida visitors includes Harvey, Santaluces edge rushed Jayvon Dawson (No. 62) and Santaluces running back Kelsey Gerald (No. 87).

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Who's winning at Florida recruiting for 2027? Texas A&M has big claim