Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- Grill in the Ville Recruit Reaction I
- Updates from FNL and Grill in the Ville
- Getting to Know: Daniel Pierre Louis
- Buy, Sell, Hold: Official Visit Weekend Prospects
- Getting to Know: Onis Konanbanny
- Post-Spring/Transfer Portal Ranking of Florida position-by-position
- Getting to Know: Byron Louis
- Mock Signing Class 4.0
- Recruiting Wire: In-state four-star will officially visit
- Florida solidifies position as a top option for four-star
- Commitment Burn Barometer
Inside the Gators asked Grill in the Ville attendees for their thoughts on Florida, the highlight of the day-long visit, and where they stand this early in their recruiting process.
- Four-star offensive lineman Reed Ramsier
I would say today was just a blast. Being able to work from my freshman year until now. Going into my junior year, for these colleges to be able to start talking to me, this school is just so close to the house, and just being able to grow up with Florida Gators all around me, and to be able to come to Jr. Day and sit down with the coaches and recruits that are considering this school just like me, I just think it was a blast… I can’t wait to be back up here this fall. I would say Coach [Rob] Sale and Coach [Jonathan] Decoster are some really good coaches, they came to see me a couple of times this spring for practice, so being able to come back up here and talk with them, and spend some time with them and see what they’re really about, and see how they interact with my parents – because they’ve never met my parents before – so for them to meet my parents and see what they’re like as well, I think it’s just and awesome opportunity. I like a couple of things; I like how close it is to home, it’s still Florida, and it’s in my backyard. I like the opportunity to play in the SEC, play a first-round edge rusher, a first-round defensive tackle, every single game of the season, knowing that I’ll be getting better in the SEC. I think Coach [Billy] Napier develops players, and definitely Coach [Rob] Sale for sure develops men on the field and off the field.
- Four-star offensive lineman Albert Simien
The highlight of my visit to UF was learning that a good number of the coaches and players are from Louisiana. It made me feel like we already had something in common, and if I choose UF, I know it’ll feel close to home. Coach [Rob] Sale and Coach [Jonathan] Decoster were great! They were very detailed about their expectations of me and took time to explain the program and training schedule—from strength and conditioning to position-specific development. I also had a good talk with Coach Napier alongside my parents. I really appreciated how he emphasized not just winning, but also staying true to who you are and giving back. That stood out to me. Some of the programs standing out to me right now are Nebraska, LSU, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Florida. Each school is unique in its own way—from coaching style to overall culture. I feel confident that as the season goes on, I’ll get a better idea of which program best fits my goals and vision.
- Unranked tight end Jackson Ballinger
Being able to see the campus and all the coaches again was amazing. Especially being able to be around them in a competitively fun environment. They were all very welcoming and encouraging about my recruiting process with them. I definitely want to make it to a few games this fall when I can! Florida is on that list. As of this moment, we are going to their game vs Texas. The schools that have really stuck out to me are Florida, Ole Miss, Cincinnati, Washington, Ohio State, and Vanderbilt (Not in order). They really stick out to me, not necessarily because of their name or facilities, but the people there.
- Five-star offensive tackle Cooper Hackett
I think Florida is different than any place I’ve ever visited. I don’t think I’ve gone too far east. I think Arkansas is the farthest I’ve gone east before here. This is different than anywhere I’ve been to. The atmosphere, and really everything about this school, is different than anywhere I’ve been to. I think he’s [Jonathan Decoster] a great guy and can really teach me. If my phone weren’t dead, I could pull up my notes. I have plenty of things written down. I already talked to him about my o-line coach about stuff we can work on and new techniques. I think he’s a great teacher.
- Four-star offensive tackle Cameron Wagner
The highlight was just getting to be able to build relationships with the coaches. They want me at Florida, and they think I could thrive there. I like a lot of school right now, I am just sorting through my options.
- Four-star offensive tackle Joshua Sam-Epelle
I went to South Carolina, Clemson, UGA, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. Florida, I would say, is definitely up there with all of those schools. It was a lot more fun today. less serious. A lot more games. I liked it. I definitely place it up there with my top visits. Right now, it’s really about picking out what’s fake and what’s real and seeing what’s the best option for me in this process. I’m definitely coming down for a game for sure. It was my first time here. It was a great time here in Gainesville. Better than what I expected. It definitely lives up to the hype. You know the Swamp, I liked it.
- Four-star safety Zayden Gamble
I don’t know, I’ve just had a deep connection with Florida ever since I was young. I just loved the colors, just love. Being Florida, they’ve always had this target on their back, I love that. I try not to be biased because maybe my favorite school may not be the school for me, so I mean, it’s whatever God wants me to pursue. As much as I love this school, I’m still going to keep my options open to see if this school is really for me.
- Three-star offensive guard Jayden Dean
Their message to me was to keep grinding and keep working. Coach [Jonathan] Decosta, he’s a South Florida guy. He’s from Dade County just like me, so he knows what it takes to get from the bottom and rise up. I just went to Oregon last week. That was a great visit also. Oregon, Florida, Michigan, and Ohio State [are standing out]. I have offers from all of them, and Florida State, Ole Miss, and Colorado. I plan on coming back here for a game, going to Oregon, Florida State for sure, and probably getting up to Clemson and Tennessee.
- 2028 defensive end George Parkinson IV
The highlight was being able to reconnect with [former UF defensive lineman] Coach Arpedge Rolle and meet with Coach [Jeremy] Patterson. It was also cool to hang out with some of the other recruits at the Grill in the Ville event. I really am keeping my options open right now because I do have a while yet (laughing). I’m going to visit more schools next winter /spring, but for now, the schools that most interest me are Ohio State, Penn State, Florida State, and South Carolina.
- Four-star offensive lineman Nate Carson
We had a lot of fun. We enjoyed the scavenger hunt. Competing and having fun with the coaches. Everything was just amazing. The scavenger hunt really was the fun part about it. That and the TikTok. We came in first [among the teams]. There’s no losing with us. Coach (inaudible) wanted me to come back down. He just wanted me to be down here. Us building that relationship to bond. Meet with the o-line coaches. They want me to keep coming down more so we can get this thing rocking. I’ve been to Clemson, Georgia, Oregon, and now Florida. It’s different. Every team that’s recruiting me stands out to me. I’m not making any decisions anytime soon. I’m having fun with this process.
- Four-star cornerback Xavier Hasan
[The highlight was] speaking with the coaches again, building a deeper relationship with the coaches. Coach D-Will [Deron Wilson] and Coach Dae’one [Wilkins] are the two guys recruiting me hardest. I got to see more like the fun side of the coaches. It felt more comfortable the second time down here talking to him. Talking about more stuff, him and his family.[Florida] is definitely one of my top schools. I’ve always liked the school. [On June 15, the first day Class of 2027 prospects could be contacted], Florida. Coach D-Will was the one. I’m probably going to come back down for the Texas game.
- Three-star receiver Jaiden Kelly-Murray
You know, that’s my dream school. Watching Kadarius Toney and Kyle Pitts that one year. That’s when I really started watching Kadarius Toney … Me and his game play could be the same, and I can build that relationship here, and hopefully play here one day. All the coaches have good energy. (Background noise made most of this interview inaudible)
