Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- Friday Night Lights & Grill in the Ville Updates
- Commitment Burn Barometer
- Watch: Five-star receiver Easton Royal talks Florida official visit
Inside the Gators asked Florida targets for their thoughts on the Gators after attending either (or in some cases both) Friday Night Lights and Grill in the Ville. Find out what top prospects, including 2028 four-star quarterback Kingston Preyear, four-star defensive lineman Zylen Little, five-star defensive end Asher Ghioto, as well as others, thought of the experience, the new staff, and the highlight of the visit.
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Note: Continue checking back over the next couple of days, we’ll be adding more responses as we receive them
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- Four-star cornerback Dominick Harris-Payne
“Florida’s been my dream school since I was a kid. All our family are Gators. It’s really exciting to me, and I’m just blessed to be in this position. It’s good to see that all of my hard work is paying off, and seeing this school and this coaching staff is invested in me, and wants me to have me come play with them.”
- 2028 receiver Barrett Price (offered while on campus)
“I thought Florida’s Friday Night Lights Camp was awesome and very well run. Of all the camps I’ve attended recently, FNL had some of the best competition. I was pleased with my performance and felt like I was able to stand out against some very talented players. Earning an offer from Florida was the icing on the cake. The highlight of the camp was definitely earning the offer. I also enjoyed meeting and working with Coach [Marcus] Davis, Coach [Trent] McKnight, and Coach [David] Doeker. Being around one of the top WR rooms in the country made it a great experience. I was invited to the camp, and while the coaches knew who I was, they had only recently started recruiting me, so I still had something to prove. I felt like I went out and let my performance do the talking by earning the offer. The coaches told me they were excited about me and look forward to continuing to build our relationship and getting me to a game this fall. Coach [Jon] Sumrall is building something special; I can definitely see myself being a part of it. I’ve been fortunate to receive a lot of great offers the past several months, but Florida is definitely near the top of my list.”
- Four-star linebacker DJ Alexander
“This trip was very useful, and I’m glad to be taught by Coach [Greg] Gasparato. It was a great experience overall, especially the Grill in the Ville. It was nice just to talk to everybody, get to know new people, and the culture of the Florida Gators. I had a really good time. Florida is definitely one of the schools high on my list right now.”
- Five-star defensive lineman Jalanie George
“They have amazing coaches, Coach [Gerald] Chatman too. I liked the facilities. What I liked the most was the stadium.”
- Three-star defensive lineman Tory Clark
“Overall, Friday Night Lights was good. Really organized and good competition. Opportunity to get some solid instruction from coaches and good reps (with drills and 1v1). It would have been great to transition to the Swamp- understand the weather was the challenge. What stood out most was the energy & intensity in the building and how all coaches were really involved. Obviously, Coach [Gerald] Chatman, my position coach, was giving me constant feedback, and Coach [Brad] White, the DC, was very involved and giving me feedback during 1v1. Coach [Jon] Sumrall was right there watching how we performed. This was a camp with high engagement from everyone involved. Coaches said I have great size, length, and heavy hands. They want me to continue working on my technique and hip movement. All things I am focused on and will definitely improve. Coach indicated it’s good for me to return in fall for game day experience. Overall it was a good experience & really good work on Friday Night! I couldn’t make day two Grill in the Ville because of a prior commitment, but I will be back in the fall for a game in The Swamp!”
- 2028 offensive tackle Nikolay Petrushev (offered while on campus)
“The visit to Florida was an incredible experience, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to attend. I had the chance to compete against talented athletes, make new connections, and build relationships with the coaching staff. The energy around the program was amazing, and being able to learn in that environment motivated me even more to keep improving. Overall, it was a fun, exciting, and valuable experience that made me even more excited about the opportunity to come back. The biggest highlight for me was getting coached by the Florida staff and competing throughout the camp. Receiving instruction from the coaches, learning new techniques, and challenging myself against high-level competition helped me grow as a player. I also really enjoyed interacting with the coaches and seeing firsthand the culture and standard they expect. The coaches were very encouraging and made me feel welcomed throughout the camp. They told me they were excited to see me again at future visits and games and encouraged me to keep working hard and developing my skills. Receiving the invitation to Friday Night Lights meant a lot to me, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to return and continue building those relationships while competing at a high level.”
- Three-star receiver Darryl Blackmon Jr. (offered while on campus)
“Florida was an amazing experience, and they treated both me and my family extremely well. Their coaching staff is phenomenal and truly dedicated to helping every player grow and develop both on and off the field. The facilities were top-tier, and I had the opportunity to be coached by the best staff in the country. The camp was highly competitive and filled with talented players who all brought a great mindset and intensity. I’m thankful for the opportunity to compete, learn, and continue improving my game. Marcus Davis and myself had a great conversation and, some of the things we talked about were me getting better at my weaknesses and just him coaching me in general. He also caught up on my everyday life back at home but overall we had some great conversations that were just a few things to name that we talked about.”
- Four-star cornerback Phoenix Evans
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to compete in the Swamp due to a storm, but overall the camp and competition was great. It was run in their indoor facility with all of the coaches on staff, and Coach Sumrall was there to witness the Indy, 7on7, and 1-on-1s. It was run like an actual practice purposefully meant for the commits to experience. Coach [Brad] White, Coach [Chris] Colin’s, Coach [Brandon] Harris, and Coach [Dae’one] Wilkins all loved my technique and how smooth I am coming out of my transitions. Coach White especially stated how he loved seeing the intensity in me while I competed with their top guys. They all would love to have me come to one of their games for a visit and i’m excited to go up there again and have another chance to experience the atmosphere in the swamp!”
- Three-star offensive lineman Garrett Rosenberger (offered while on campus)
“Florida was beautiful and the campus is amazing. The highlight of the visit was being offered a scholarship and also doing the scavenger hunt/ learning about the university and being around other recruits and the commits. The coaches said that they liked my style of play and they are looking forward to building a better relationship with me, with the goal of me becoming a Gator.”
- 2028 receiver Jamarion Hillsman (offered while on campus)
“I really enjoyed Florida’s Friday Night Lights Camp. The competition was great, and every rep had to be earned. My favorite part was competing against some of the best players there and getting to showcase my skills. I also enjoyed talking with the coaches afterward. They had a lot of positive things to say and encouraged me to keep working because they liked what they saw. It was definitely a great experience overall. The coaching staff and I are creating a strong relationship that I look forward to in the future!”
- Four-star receiver John Matthews
“I really loved going and competing with the top guys in the country. I’ll say [the highlight was] 1-on-1s, seeing good on good. The coaches said they like me as a player and how I compete.”
- Three-star linebacker Reginald Ward (Offers from Ole Miss, Tenn, Texas A&M…)
“I absolutely loved Florida. It was competitive and was fun to compete against some of the nation’s best. The highlight for me was during 1-on-1’s when I had a pass breakup. Just seeing everybody cheer me on just felt different, and it felt great. The coaches all let me know I had a fantastic camp, but still needed to get back to work and told me to come see them again.”
- Four-star tight end Gregory Kirwan (offered while on campus)
“Well, first of all, the coaches hosted a great camp. I had so much fun and learned so much! And the highlight was definitely working with the coaches 1-on-1 and learning from them! The coaches were always so positive and just gave me tips that will only make me better!”
- Four-star tight end Braxton Rein
“It was a good comp and ran pretty smoothly. The highlight was competing against other top players in the class. The coaches just made sure I know they want me and where I fit into the program and all that good stuff.”
- Four-star Xévien Brinson (No. 65 rated prospect in the nation)
“My thoughts on Friday Night Lights are that it was a great atmosphere and there was a lot of talent around. I wasn’t out there competing, but I appreciated being able to sit back and really take everything in and see how everything was run. The highlight for me was honestly how all the tight ends kind of stuck together and built relationships. It was cool being around other talented guys and everybody actually getting along. Also, just seeing some of the other possible targets for Florida lets you see the level of talent they’re bringing in, what you can keep improving on, and maybe even who you could end up teaming up with one day. The coaches were showing love and just talking about continuing to work and develop. They kept things real, and it was good being able to spend time around the staff and learn more about them.”
- Four-star defensive lineman Zylen Little
“Competing on Friday and having fun with the coaches and other recruits on Saturday was a great experience. The highlight was competing on Friday; it was a bunch of top prospects and commits at the camp, so it raised the competition level of everyone. Coach [Gerald] Chatman was intense. I like that. Coach Chatman gave me some good coaching points at the camp to elevate my game. He also told me he likes what I bring, and he is going to continue to recruit me to the end.”
- 2029 offensive lineman Derrick Hooker Jr. (offered while on campus)
“The camp was a great experience overall. I really enjoyed the competition because it was very competitive and pushed everyone to perform at a high level. The event was well organized, and everything ran smoothly. The highlight for me was competing against talented athletes (1-on-1s) from different areas and receiving feedback on how to improve from the coaching staff. I had the opportunity to speak with the coaches, and I was blessed to receive an offer. They told me to keep working hard for the next three years. Receiving the offer was a special moment for me, and I truly appreciate the confidence they have in my abilities and potential.”
- Four-star cornerback Izayah Vickers
“The visit was great. I had a lot of fun with the coaches today. The highlight of the day was going around campus and looking for clues on the scavenger hunt. They were glad that I was able to make it down for another visit. Today was more about having fun, so we didn’t talk much about football; we talked more about our family and stuff.”
- Three-star quarterback Andrew Whittemore (offered while on campus)
“Friday night lights was amazing! All the coaches were great and very knowledgeable of the game.”
- 2028 offensive lineman Cooper Martenson (offered while on campus)
“I thought the visit was great. It was a really fun way to bring a select few high-tier recruits to the Swamp and build with the coaches. The highlight for me was being able to sit down and talk about Florida with Coach [Jon] Sumrall. The coaches had nothing but good things to say to me. Following up from a great camp and being able to spend time with the coaches throughout the day getting to know them better was so fun.”
- Three-star edge Malik Muhammad
“Florida’s Friday Night Lights was very intense and fun. Also, being able to work drills with coach Bam [Hardmon], then being able to apply them to 1-on-1 reps was also great. My highlight from the camp was being able to see the lil things I need to work on to get better because as a football player there’s always some way you can get better. Coach Bam just told me he liked what he’s seen of me, and just to keep working.”
- Four-star cornerback commit Aamaury Fountain
The vibe was intense. I’m not going to lie, you could tell we were here to work. Like ya the visit was cool and all, but this was something else. I was with Quincy [Wilson] and [Brandon] Harris just learning. Sadly, I didn’t really get a chance to recruit. The highlight was the TikTok I posted. The coaches just told me stuff I’ve got to work on.
- Four-star offensive tackle Ty Winn
“The highlight of the visit was getting the opportunity to participate in Grill in the Ville and spend quality time with the coaching staff & other recruits outside of football. It was a great way to learn more about the program, build relationships, and get a better feel for Florida’s culture. Meeting Coach [Jon] Sumrall and spending time with Coach [Phil] Trautwein made the visit even greater. The coaches were very positive and made it clear that I am a priority for them in the 2028 class. Coach [Phil] Trautwein told me that my Florida offer is now officially committable, which meant a lot to me and my family. We also talked about my development, my potential at the next level, and how I could fit into their program in the future.”
- Three-star quarterback Hudson West (offered while on campus)
“Florida has always been one of my dream schools growing up, so getting this offer is a huge blessing. I’m really thankful and excited about the opportunity. I love the campus, the atmosphere, and the tradition that comes with being a Gator. The highlight was definitely competing with my high school team at the 7v7 tournament (On Wednesday). We played really well, and it was great being able to perform in front of the Florida coaches and get feedback from them throughout the day. They told me that I first caught their attention during 7v7 competition and that they were impressed with how I performed at the Friday Night Lights Camp. They talked about my ability to make plays, compete, and lead, which meant a lot coming from a staff like theirs.”
- Four-star receiver Lorenzo McMullen Jr. (No. 27 rated prospect in the nation)
“Florida is everything they say it is. A highlight of mine was the scavenger hunt. It was definitely the most fun I had on a visit. Coaches said, ‘Just thanks for coming, it means a lot to them, and that I have to get back down for a game.”
- 2028 offensive lineman John O’Dwyer (offered after Wednesday’s lineman camp)
“I think that they’re going to have an amazing season this year. The amazing campus and faculty is probably the highlight, or the great coaching staff there. I talked to almost every offensive coach and Coach [Jon] Sumrall. They said it’s going to be great building a relationship with me.”
- Five-star defensive end Asher Ghioto
“I know everyone says this, but the energy and feel is always awesome! Just hanging out with the staff and other players was fun. It’s always good to be here. The programs right now that are standing are: Florida, Miami, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, Oregon, ND, and Clemson.”
- Three-star cornerback Justin Antenor (Offers from UF, Georgia, Texas A&M, and others…)
“I think the camp was good. There was great competition all around, and it ran pretty smoothly. My highlight was working with the defensive back coaches, and understanding how they coach at a top level. The coaches were glad that I came and happy that I came to compete.”
- 2029 receiver Bralen J. Coleman (offered while on campus)
“It was one of the best camps I have attended, hands down. Great feedback from coaches, highly competitive. Even with the rain outside, the staff made sure everything went smoothly. On the field, the highlights were learning from the great coaching staff. They took time to coach us up. Off the field, the highlights were the amazing football facilities. The coaches say they liked my size and the ability to move with my size. And they told me to keep working, and they will see me soon.”
- Four-star offensive lineman Samuel Bailey (No. 59 rated prospect in the nation)
The competition was great. I got to go against some of the other top dudes in the nation. I definitely had fun. The coaches want me to be a Gator.
- 2029 defensive tackle J’deion Jackson (offered while on campus)
“The Friday Night Lights Camp was amazing. It was a great experience. Coach [Gerald] Chatman, and Coach [Jonathan] Saxon taught me a lot of stuff that they do at the college level. The competition was great. There was a lot of talent, and we competed with high intensity. It was run great, and the coaches had great energy. The highlight of the camp was definitely the learning and understanding part because Coach Chatman would tell us what we did right, or if we did it wrong, he would correct us. The coaches said I look good, and they liked me, and I had a conversation with Coach [Jon] Sumrall, and he gave me the offer.”
- Three-star edge DeMarcus Dale Brown
“I felt like I dominated; I won all of my reps. The competition was good, the camp was run smoothly, with high energy. I got to show what I can really do. Me and the coaches spoke; they were pretty cool. One coach mentioned I was a little undersized, but he also said he likes how I move when I was about to do my 1-on-1 rep.”
- Four-star quarterback Kingston Preyear (No. 56 rated prospect in the nation)
“It was amazing! The staff did an excellent job! For me, the highlight was me standing in the middle of the Swamp, envisioning playing in front of a full house. What an honor! I enjoyed the entire staff. But meeting and talking to Coach [Jon] Sumrall was inspiring! He shared his vision for UF football and how he sees the program growing. He then explained how he would like for me to be a part of it. The entire staff shared the same message. UF is very high for me! It felt like home!”
- Three-star quarterback Knox Kiffin
“It was a great camp, with great coaching. It was run really great. The coaches just said keep doing your thing, and they’re going to keep watching me and keeping up [with me]. The highlight was the 1-on-1s.”
- Four-star defensive end Jeremiah Figaro
“The competition was great. Definitely the most talent in one place that I’ve been to. It was a great environment. I’ve never been on campus before, so it was awesome to get down to Gainesville and see the Swamp. The coaches liked my length and bend, and the feedback I got is that they want to keep recruiting me and get me back to campus. I would have stayed today [for the Grill], but I needed to get home for a wedding. I’m new to playing defensive end – I was a basketball player and predominantly a wide receiver until the last six games of last season. It was pretty much what I expected. I knew I wasn’t going to outshine some of the more polished guys that have been playing the position for a while. That’s why I reclassed to ‘28 to get an extra year of development and adjust my training. I only did two camps this year, Florida and Notre Dame.”
- 2028 defensive tackle Josiah Taylor (offered while on campus)
“My thoughts on FNL are that it was a fantastic day and the competition was great. The coaches were just helping me with stuff I needed help with. They were saying how I’m a great defensive lineman; they just want me to keep working.”
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