How Florida football's two top prospects fit into the 2026 plan
Here's how Florida football's two top 2026 prospects, Will Griffin and JaReylan McCoy, fit into the Gators' plans this coming fall.
Florida football needs plenty of help rebuilding its program after reaching another nadir in 2025, and one of the areas where improvements are being made to the roster is through prep recruiting. The 2026 cycle was a robust one for the Gators, who have nine prospects among the SC Next ESPN 300 rankings . Craig Haubert and Tom Luginbill, who write for that same publication, recently took a look at how the top recruits at each position in the class could fit at their new schools.
Among them were a pair of players who will wear the Orange and Blue next fall — defensive end JaReylan McCoy, who ranks 19th on that list, and quarterback Will Griffin, who checks in at No. 135. The former could be a major player on Florida's defense if things go well for the Tupelo, Mississippi, native.
"McCoy's development will be fascinating. He was one of the most polarizing players in the class. We were a bit cool on McCoy initially, but he developed into a five-star for several reasons.
At over 6-foot-6 with an 80-inch wingspan, McCoy has elite measurables. He also never turned down an opportunity to compete, consistently posting strong testing numbers. McCoy changes direction well and practices smart," the authors note.