Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- Jr. Day Notebook I: Griffin has a message for 2026 targets
- Running List of visitors for 1/18/24 Jr. Day
- Live from Florida’s 1/18 Elite Jr. Day
Rolesville (N.C.) four-star defensive end Zavion Griffin-Haynes entered his weekend visit in Gainesville as the No. 162 ranked prospect in the nation according to the 247 Sports Composite and left UF with an offer from the Gators.
While in town he also had an opportunity to spend some time with his cousin, Florida 2025 signee Hylton Stubbs.
Besides seeing his cousin, he said spending time with Gators’ defensive end coach Mike Peterson.
When asked what stood out, he replied, “Definitely the one-on-one [with Peterson]. We got to connect on a personal level and relationships mean a lot in my recruitment, so getting to know those guys more and what they want from me and where they see me at definitely stood out.”
Griffin-Haynes will be at North Carolina this weekend and then Southern Cal the next.
He doesn’t have a leaderboard but when asked about UF he replied, ‘Definitely a top school for me.”
Zavion’s brother, 6-foot-3, 200-pound wide receiver Jayden Griffin-Haynes isn’t currently ranked but holds offers from the likes of Florida, Florida State, North Carolina, and Texas A&M.
Earlier in the week 2026 Atlanta (Ga.) Woodward Academy four-star safety Blake Stewart wasn’t sure that he would make it to Gainesville for the first time in order to attend UF’s Jr. Day, but in the end, he was happy that he did.
“I loved it here,” said Stewart. “The way the coaches talked to us. Finished talking to the head coach, and just loved everything about it. I liked the academic part because there’s always life after football. Football doesn’t last forever, so I liked that, and also the opportunities they have.”
Stewart, the No. 325 ranked prospect in the nation according to the 247 Sports Composite, also has offers from the likes of Auburn, Clemson and Georgia.
He hasn’t been ranked yet, but 2027 Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton tight end Grant Haviland already has double-digit offers, including from the likes of Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Miami, and Tennessee.
“It was a good day. We started off with breakfast and then a tour of the facilities. Overall they treated us well. It was nice to spend time with the coaching staff and get to know them better. I liked the whole vibe around the team.”
He doesn’t have a leader and said he is still in the process of finding out about each school.
Though he hasn’t received a 247 Sports ranking yet, standing next to him it is easy to see why Fort Myers 2026 offensive tackle Joel Ervin is highly sought after. He said said he measured in Saturday at 6-foot-6, 320-pounds with an 88-inch wing span.
“The visit went great. I love coming to hear what Coach Rob Sale and Coach Jon[athan] Decoaster talk about the offensive line with me. The highlight was doing the film room with Coach Rob [Sale]. How he coaches and explained stuff to us made it all make sense.”
At the end of last month Ervin released his Top 10.
When asked why Florida made the cut, Ervin replied, “Florida made the top 10 because of how early in the process they found me, had me work out and offered me. The atmosphere when I came on my first visit. It was a great vibe.”
Ervin said that he plans on making his commitment sometime this spring.
Another Class of 2026 offensive lineman on campus was Niceville (Fla.) offensive guard Jakobe Green.
He is probably not quite the 6-foot-4 that he is listed at, but he is 300-pounds plus.
The unranked lineman currently holds five P4 offers, from Florida, Maryland, Miami, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss.
“It was fun getting to know the coaches and players a lot more. It’s amazing here. The coaches told me to keep it going, keep it working, start preparing for next year.”
Green said he will be at Florida State on 1/25 and Mississippi State on 2/1.
“After today, Florida is definitely standing out,” said Green. “Miami, Ole Miss, USF and Mississippi State are the schools standing out right now to me.”
“I want to see what else [offers] I’m going to get first and then I’ll start to narrow it down in the summer.”
Four-star linebacker Keenan Britt came into the weekend visit to Florida committed to South Carolina, but that didn’t keep the Gators from making a big impression on the 6-foot-2, 230-pounder.
“The highlight of the visit was when we went to the stadium,” said Britt. “It was really nice. The coaches were really welcoming me to my family.”
This coming weekend he will visit South Carolina.
When asked about a potential return visit, Britt replied, “Yes, I will make another trip to Florida, and I’ll probably take an OV to them.”
He said that UF remains a factor for him because of how he is treated by the coaches and players.
Unranked offensive tackle Dalton Toothman:
“The facility tour was really cool. The coaches told me I was the right size they were looking for and that I fit their scheme well, they also said they didn’t care if I didn’t have any stars. No, I don’t have a leaderboard, but I’ll be at Ole Miss this coming weekend (1/25).”
Four-star safety CJ Hester:
“The highlight was getting to talk to the coaches and Coach [Billy] Naiper said that I would fit in well here and that they want me to come to school and that I’m a priority.”
He said that next he wants to see Pitt, UCF, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Maryland, and many others
When asked about the Gators, he replied, “UF is very high in my recruitment.”
Three-star defensive lineman Valdin Sone:
“Talking to head coach Billy [Napier] was a highlight. Me and him have a great relationship. Coach [Gerald] Chatman had a lot to say, but in conclusion he said I was one of the top defensive linemen they are recruiting right now.”
Sone said that Florida is one of his top five and he plans on taking an official visit to the Gators.
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