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Ja’Reylan McCoy is a four-star defensive end from Tupelo, Ms. McCoy had his official visit with the Gators back in June of 2025 and committed not long afterward. He then signed with the organization on December 5.
Learn more about his recruiting process, his role as a football player, and his personal life in this edition of Getting to Know.
FOOTBALL/RECRUITING
Take us through the process that led to your commitment. What was that experience like for you?
“I had visits lined up, and the coaches were not showing me the appreciation that the Florida coaches were. Florida was showing me lots of love outside of being a football player; they treated me like family.”
What is the strangest thing that has happened in the recruiting process?
“When I went to visit Purdue, I was at the hotel they designated for us, and there was a homeless man in my hotel room, but I got a new room, so it was fine after that.”
Which school came in second for you and why?
“Texas, the short time I talked to them, they did show a lot of communication.”
What inspired you to start playing football?
“I got a football for Christmas when I was four or five, I told my parents I wanted to play football, and they put me in flag football when I was five or six, then I went to peewee football.”
Coach Gerald Chatman recruited you. How do you feel now that he has been retained as part of the new staff?
“Blessing on Coach Chatman’s end, but we have to build as a family again, which is not a problem; it is football at the end of the day. It is a blessing on his end because he is back with the players, and the same team is pretty cool.“
What would you say are some of your greatest strengths as a football player?
“For one, I’m 6-foot-7, they can’t block me, these long arms, it is going to be hard for everyone. I would say my height, length, and speed. My package is crazy. They think I’m going to run around you, but I might tango on top of you, and I like to talk junk on the field.”
What is the most appealing part to you about the University of Florida?
“The love from the fans, the fans are stable. They will tell you how it is.”
What is your favorite football memory?
“This was peewee football, I always played defense so I didn’t get the ball much, and this time I did get the ball, so I was running down to the endzone and I saw my dad in the stands and I was smiling at him the whole way and I fumbled the ball right before the endzone and we lost the game, ever since then I never smiled on the field.”
What do you really need to work on the most when you get to Florida?
“Learn how to wake up and work on my sleep schedule while staying consistent and fall in love with the weightroom.”
How have the interactions been with the new staff? Who have you communicated with the most?
“Coach [Jon] Sumrall and Coach [Gerald] Chatman, and I spoke with Brad White and Coach Jeremy Patterson.”
Who have you spoken to the most from your recruiting class?
“Heze Kent.”
What Gator player have you spoken with the most?
“Caleb Banks and Jeramiah McCloud.”
Who are you looking most forward to either playing with or maybe going against in practice?
“On offense, everybody. For the defensive line, I have a starting lineup of me, of course, Brendan Bett, Jeramiah McCloud, KJ Ford, then Jayden Woods as an outside linebacker, he can play both parts. ”
What is your favorite professional football team?
“Baltimore Ravens.”
Who is your favorite player of all time?
“Me, for college and the NFL; Myles Garrett.”
PERSONAL
What is your major?
“Interior Design.”
If you could play a sport outside of football, which sport would it be?
“Hockey.“
What is one thing Gator Nation does not know about you?
“I’m myself.”
What would be your first purchase if you got drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft?
“I’m buying a Bacon King from Burger King, with no fries and a strawberry lemonade. A cheat meal.”
What is one item that you cannot live without?
“My Cleats.”
Who has been the biggest role model for you in your life, and why?
“My dad and Ray Lewis, the stories he tells are impactful.”
You’re given the AUX chord for the locker room before a practice or big game; what is the go-to song you’re playing?
“YTN KAP-5 Star.”
What is your favorite movie?
“Avatar.”
What is your favorite TV show?
“911.”
What is your favorite flavor of Gatorade?
“Lemon-Lime and Lemonade.”
What are you binge-watching at the moment?
“Nothing, just watching football videos on YouTube.
Do you play any video games? Which ones?
“NCAA and Crew 2.”
What wild animal/insect would you be, and why?
“Goat. A big goat.”
What are you looking forward to in college outside of football?
“Expanding my name, business-wise, with my interior design. My favorite show growing up was Fixer Upper. ”
What do you want people to think when they hear the name JaReylan McCoy five years from now?
“Oh, he was that dude. He was that guy.”
What advice do you have for young players dreaming of going to college?
“Work hard and trust the process.”
What is your favorite quality in a teammate?
“Someone who has the same goals as me and wants to win. ”
What is your favorite meal to cook?
“I like food, but I have to say garlic bread pizza and wings, preferably hot or buffalo, and sprinkle lemon pepper on top.”
If you could have dinner with three people from any point in history, who would they be, and why?
“Juice WRLD, Martin Luther King Jr., and my cousin – 23 – that is his name.”
What is on your bucket list?
“I want to go skydiving, win the freshman award for best defensive player, and expand my name in interior designing.”
Apple Music or Spotify?
“Apple Music.”
Early bird or night owl?
“Night Owl.”
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
“People who are attention seeking.”
Cats or dogs?
“Dogs.”
Quiet or outgoing?
“Outgoing.”
What is your hidden talent?
“I can sing, or I believe I can sing.”
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