It wasn’t long ago that Swamp fans were sweating over Billy Napier’s ability to lock down the Sunshine State. The Florida Gators had been watching elite in-state talent slip away, with nearly 40% of top prospects bolting for places like Alabama, Georgia, and even rival Florida State. But this past weekend painted a dramatically different picture. Gainesville was buzzing as 18 prospects rolled through campus, many already leaning toward the Gators, some being pushed over the edge by a well-executed pitch. Among them was 6-foot-6, 245-pound DL JaReylan McCoy out of Tupelo, Mississippi. A rising force in the trenches who spent serious one-on-one time with Napier.
If first impressions matter, Florida is winning those battles one hug, handshake, and photo op at a time. The shift in recruiting momentum isn’t just about visits or flashy uniforms. There’s a sense of structure to what Billy Napier’s doing—a long-term plan clicking into place despite the turbulence of his early tenure.
Gators Breakdown insider Will Miles explained it best: “I’ve actually been impressed with what Napier has done, given some of the limitations that he had, especially when you think about the way the season started.”
The inconsistency on the field didn’t derail the recruiting engine. Instead, Florida finished the class with a tight grip on their home state, showing signs they’re ready to claw their way back into the SEC’s upper echelon. “The finish to this class especially, the in-state aspect…I think are really important,” Miles added. “You really get a sense for what Florida’s doing right and where Florida can improve, especially when you start comparing them to the Alabamas and the Georgias and the Miamis and the Florida States of the world.” And the recruits are starting to sound the same tune. It’s not just about big facilities or highlight reels. It’s the details.
Three-star OL G’Nivre Carr committed to the 2026 class on Sunday after seeing enough to believe the Gators weren’t just talking—they were showing up. “Florida has always made me a big priority,” Carr said. “Just calling me every day….making sure I’m good, the fam’s good. Calling my mom, my stepdad, all of them. It’s just the little things for me.” For a 6-foot-4, 336-pound lineman out of Ocala who sharpened his skills at IMG Academy, that personal touch mattered. The Gators made their presence felt early and often—and didn’t stop once they had his attention.
Florida made a serious impression on 5-star safety Bralan Womack during his official visit this weekend
“From start to finish, they set the bar high.”
More from @ChadSimmons_: https://t.co/DM6EjvALft pic.twitter.com/5W9MqLLtwJ
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) June 1, 2025
The same could be said for McCoy, who walked away from his Florida visit feeling like he could already see himself in blue and orange. “It was good,” McCoy said. “We were able to talk to Coach Napier and spend time with the players. Being able to see and feel how I was looking in the uniform was what I wanted to see. I wanted to see if I felt comfortable in the uniform, and I did.” That comment—seemingly small—speaks volumes. Billy Napier has always emphasized fit, comfort, and building something meaningful with players who buy into the vision.
Behind the scenes, Billy Napier and his staff have taken a more strategic, boots-on-the-ground approach to in-state recruiting. Instead of swinging for every five-star with a pulse, they’ve zeroed in on cultural fits, positional needs, and relationship-first tactics. That seems to be the story in Gainesville right now—get the local dogs, build trenches inside-out, and let the culture do the rest.
Whether it’s in-state linemen, edge rushers from Mississippi, or Florida-born talent who grew up dreaming of playing in The Swamp, the momentum feels different now. It feels earned.
Brotherhood & Billy Napier: UF still leads for Mississippi big man
2026 4-star JaReylan McCoy still has the Florida Gators sitting pretty at the top of his list—and it’s not just about the facilities or the weather. It’s the vibe in Gainesville that’s left a real mark.
“The brotherhood is crazy,” McCoy said, still fired up about his recent visit. “They’re building something special over there. I mean, we’re all football players, of course some people have bigger names, but we all love the game and we’re all doing the same hard work. At the end of the day, they kind of see their younger self in us and want to put us in the same situation as they are.”
It’s clear that what stood out most to McCoy wasn’t a flashy pitch—it was the authentic energy around the program. From top to bottom, he felt like everyone was pulling in the same direction.
Florida’s assistant coaches have been relentless in the best way. “Just keep doing what I’m doing,” McCoy said of the constant encouragement from the staff. But it’s not just the assistants—Billy Napier himself is fully in the mix. “Coach Napier says the same, come be a Gator,” McCoy shared. “It feels good to hear that from the head coach.” Looks like the Gator brotherhood is building something special for the future.
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