Which freshmen enrolled early for Florida football in 2026? Here's a breakdown
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Nearly the entire Florida football incoming 2026 freshman class will get a jump on the upcoming season.
Of the 19 high school signees in the Florida Gators 2026, 18 enrolled for the spring semester on Monday, Jan. 12.
In less than a week on the job, new Florida coach Jon Sumrall kept most of the 2026 class together. Sumrall and his staff met with the freshman class on Jan. 12 to lay out program expectations.
The early UF enrollees include quarterback Will Griffin, the 2025 Florida Gatorade high school player of the year, standout four-star receiver Davian Groce and standout four-star edge rusher JaReylan McCoy. Linebaker Malik Morris of Lakeland High is the lone high school player who has yet to enroll.
By enrolling early, the 18 players will get a chance to take part in spring practices in March and in the Orange and Blue spring game in April. Last season, Vernell Brown III and Jayden Woods were among incoming freshmen who benefitted from enrolling early. Both Brown and Woods played extensively as true freshmen and earned freshman-All SEC honors.
Here’s a breakdown of UF’s early enrollees for 2026:
Florida football 2026 early enrollees
Tyler Chukuyem, OT
School/Hometown: South Palding HS/Douglasville, Ga.
Commitment: Florida
Height/Weight: 6-6, 290
Rating: Three-star
The Skinny: Rated as the 36th-best tackle and 554th-best prospect in the 2026 class, per 247Sports. Chose Florida over offers from Florida State, Cincinnati, Ole Miss and Appalachian State.
Justin Williams, WR/RB
School: Gainesville Buchholz
Commitment: Florida
Height, Weight: 5-11, 190 pounds
2024 Stats: 108 carries, 1,023 yards, 16 TDs, 85 catches, 1,473 yards, 13 TDs (MaxPreps)
Honors: Gainesville Sun All-Area Big School OPOY
USA Today Florida Network Ranking: No. 49 (No. 3 running back)
USA Today Florida Network Star Rating: 3★★★
USA Today Florida Network grade: 88.75
247Sports Composite: 4 star, No. 37 player in Florida, No. 15 ATH in the nation
Scouting report:Williams tallied 2,534 yards of offense while throwing just one single pass at Buchholz. His second gear is special, and he’s very shifty with the ball in his hands. While his route-running as a receiver isn’t eye popping, his separation and balance are. When the ball finds William’s hands, odds are that the sticks will be moving.
Courtesy of Gannett Florida USA Today recruiting database
Heze Kent, TE
School/Hometown: Brunswick HS/Brunswick, Ga.
Commitment: Florida
Height/Weight: 6-6, 310
Rating: Four-star
The Skinny: Rated at the 167th best overall player and 11th best athlete in the 2026 class, per 247Sports. Kent finished last season with 41 catches for 983 yards and 8 receiving TDs, along with 32 carries for 211 yards and 8 rushing TDs. He chose Florida over offers from Texas, Miami, Alabama and Florida State.
Javarii Luckas, OT
School: Glades Central
Commitment: Florida
Height, Weight: 6-5, 305 pounds
2024 Stats: 10 pancake blocks, 1 tackle (MaxPreps)
USA Today Florida Network Star Rating: 3 ★★★
USA Today Florida Network grade: 84.25
247Sports Composite: N/A
Scouting report: Luckas is a project of a prospect. His size is undeniable, but his strength, movement, and technique are not to the level of his peers yet. The foundations are there, but he struggles to handle even smaller defenders and takes a while to generate momentum from his base.
Courtesy of Gannett Florida USA Today recruiting database
CJ Bronaugh, CB
School: Windermere
Commitment: Florida
Height, Weight: 6-1, 166 pounds
2024 Stats: 30 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 6 INTs, 4 passes defended, 1 FF, 1 blocked kick (MaxPreps)
Honors: 2025 Under Armour Next Camp DB MVP (Orlando)
USA Today Florida Network Ranking: No. 22 (No. 3 cornerback)
USA Today Florida Network Star Rating: 4 ★★★★
USA Today Florida Network grade: 89.25
247Sports Composite: 4-star, No. 12 player in Florida, No. 12 CB in the nation
Scouting report: Nobody in the state has boosted their stock this offseason like Bronaugh has. The Huskers will do everything in their power to hold on to Bronaugh, who has reeled in offers from Miami, Oregon, Florida, and North Carolina since the start of the new year. His electric speed is his biggest plus. He is a state champion track athlete, and ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at UA Next Orlando while dominating matchups in 1-on-1 drills. He’s a ball-hawk that baits and punishes bad throws.
Courtesy of Gannett Florida USA Today recruiting database
Chancellor Campbell, OT
School: St. Pete Lakewood
Commitment: Florida
Height, Weight: 6-8, 295 pounds
2024 Stats: N/A
USA Today Florida Network Ranking: No. 70 (No. 6 offensive tackle)
USA Today Florida Network Star Rating: 3★★★
USA Today Florida Network grade: 86.25
247Sports Composite: 3-star, No. 85 player in Florida, No. 49 OT in the nation
Scouting report: Few offensive linemen boosted their stock at the Under Armour Next camp in Orlando like Campbell. Standing at 6-8 and nearly 300 pounds, his frame and technique have made him a priority for schools like Miami and Penn State. He’s extremely mobile, and his footwork is sound.
Desmond Green, OL
School/Hometown: Timberland HS/St. Stephen, S.C.
Commitment: Florida
Height/Weight: 6-5, 354
Rating: Three-star
The Skinny: Rated as the 90th-best interior offensive lineman and 393rd-best prospect in the 2026 class, per 247Sports. Chose Florida over offers from South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma and Virginia Tech.
Courtesy of Gannett Florida USA Today recruiting database
JaReylan McCoy, DE
Height/Weight: 6-6, 245
School/Hometown: Tupelo HS/Tupelo, Miss.
Rating: Four-star
The Skinny: Recorded 30 tackles (7.5 tackles for loss), 4 quarterback hurries and 1.5 sacks to help lead Tupelo High to the Mississippi Class 6A state championship. Chose Florida over offers from LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama and Alcorn State.
K.J. Ford, DE
School/Hometown: Duncanville HS/Duncanville, Texas
Commitment: Florida
Height/Weight: 6-4, 245
Rating: Four-star
The Skinny: Rated as the 11th-edde rusher and 98th-best prospect in the 2026 class, per 247Sports. Finished his junior year of high school with 57 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recover, and 15 hurries. Chose Florida over offers from Ohio State, Texas A&M, Alabama and Arizona State.
Marquez Daniel, WR
School/Hometown: Booker T. Washington HS/Tuskegee, Ala.
Commitment: Florida
Height/Weight: 6-5, 195
Rating: Four-star
The Skinny: Caught 38 passes for 757 yards and 12 TDs in his junior year at Booker T. Washington HS. Chose Florida over offers from Miami, Kentucky, Louisville and LSU.
Will Griffin, QB
School: Tampa Jesuit
Commitment: Florida
Height, Weight: 6-foot-3, 230 pounds
2024 Stats: 186 of 286, 2,213 yards, 24 TDs, 4 INTs, 37 carries, 240 yards, 5 TDs (MaxPreps)
Honors: 2025 Under Armour All-America Game
USA Today Florida Network Ranking: No. 43 (No. 4 quarterback)
USA Today Florida Network Star Rating: 3 ★★★
USA Today Florida Network grade: 88
247Sports Composite: 4 star, No. 44 player in Florida, No. 15 QB in the nation
Scouting report: Griffin is a muscular quarterback with an SEC frame, which is why the Gators offered him after his freshman season. The four-year starter will likely eclipse 10,000 career passing yards before the start of September. He has a cannon of an arm and shows good poise while under pressure.
Courtesy of Gannett Florida USA Today recruiting database
Corey Brown, OL
Height/Weight: 6-2, 280
School/Hometown: Jones HS/Orlando, Fla.
Rating: N/A
The Skinny: The younger brother of Vernell Brown III, Brown started at guard for Orlando Jones this past season and will join UF as a preferred walk-on.
Kendall Guervil DL
School: Fort Myers
Commitment: Florida
Height, Weight: 6-5, 310 pounds
2024 Stats: 88 tackles, 12 TFL, 0.5 sack, 5 QB hurries, 2 FF (MaxPreps)
2024 Honors: News-Press All-Area Defensive First Team
USA Today Florida Network Ranking: No. 28 (No. 2 defensive tackle)
USA Today Florida Network Star Rating: 4 ★★★★
USA Today Florida Network grade: 90
247Sports Composite: 4-star, No. 19 player in Florida, No. 19 DL in the nation
Scouting report: Guervil is a textbook plug-stopper. His 6-foot-5 frame makes him a matchup nightmare up front, and he is extremely powerful up top and drives through the line of scrimmage. He has average mobility for his position.
Courtesy of Gannett Florida USA Today recruiting database
G’Nivre Carr, IOL
School: IMG Academy
Commitment: Florida
Height, Weight: 6-4, 336 pounds
2024 Stats: N/A
USA Today Florida Network Ranking: No. 72 (No. 7 interior offensive lineman)
USA Today Florida Network Star Rating: 3★★★
USA Today Florida Network grade: 87.25
247Sports Composite: 4-star, No. 59 player in Florida, No. 39 IOL in the nation
Scouting report: Carr is a mobile blocker with active hands and quick feet. He has an above-average wingspan and great strength. He’s quick off the line and is an effective blocker, plus has the size to compete for time on the field quickly.
Davian Groce, WR
School/Hometown: Frisco Lone Star HS/Frisco, Texas
Commitment: Florida
Height/Weight: 6-1, 190
Rating: Four-star
The Skinny: Rated as the eighth-best receiver and 52nd overall player in 2026 class, per 247Sports. Selected Florida over offers from Baylor, Houston and Oklahoma. Gained close to 1,400 scrimmage yards and scored 12 offensive TDs as a junior in 2024, including 702 receiving yards and 5 TDs and 687 yards rushing and 7 TD. Added 3 return TDs as well, with two coming on kickoff reutrns and one on a punt return.
Dylan Purter, DB
School/Hometown: Booker T. Washington HS/Tuskegee, Ala.
Commitment: LSU
Height/Weight: 6-1, 165
Rating: Four-star
The Skinny: Rated as the 20th best safety and 207th best overall prospect in the 2026 class by 247Sports composite. Purter, who finished with 97 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 interceptions as a high school junior in 2024, is versatile enough to play both corner and safety. He had offers from Auburn, Tulane and Arkansas and flipped his commitment from LSU to sign with the Gators.
CJ Hester, S
School: Cocoa
Commitment: Florida
Height, Weight: 6-1, 185 pounds
2024 Stats: 72 tackles, 10 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 1 FF (MaxPreps)
2024 Honors: Florida Today All-Space Coast Defensive Second Team
USA Today Florida Network Ranking: No. 33 (No. 5 safety)
USA Today Florida Network Star Rating: 4 ★★★★
USA Today Florida Network grade: 89.5
247Sports Composite: 4 star, No. 36 player in Florida, No. 20 safety in the nation
Scouting report: Hester is a gamer. He reeled in two picks in the Class 2A regional semifinal and then reeled in two more interceptions while breaking up four passes in a state semifinal win. He’s a textbook ballhawk that knows how to bait throws. He is a tip-drill pro and has great speed.
Courtesy of Gannett Florida USA Today recruiting database
Kaiden Hall, S
School: Milton
Commitment: Florida
Height, Weight: 6-3, 195 pounds
2024 Stats: 28 carries, 161 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs, 8 catches, 80 receiving yards, 32 tackles, 3 TFL (MaxPreps)
USA Today Florida Network Ranking: No. 23 (No. 1 ATH)
USA Today Florida Network Star Rating: 4★★★★
USA Today Florida Network grade: 91.5
247Sports Composite: 4-star, No. 24 player in Florida, No. 14 safety in the country
Scouting report: Hall displays an incredible understanding of his position whichever it is on the field. He has arguably the best run support of any safety in the class, elite size that makes him a dangerous receiver. He’s very physical, and his explosiveness is a real plus.
Courtesy of Gannett Florida USA Today recruiting database
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Most of Florida football 2026 freshman class enrolls early for spring drills
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