Recruiting 2026 Recruiting Thread - 4* WR Davian Groce commits to UF

[Swamp Donkey]

Pearsall and either Badger or Dike should’ve been a 1000 yard receiver.

Sturdivant or EWIII (if he can stay healthy) should be a 1000 yard receiver this year. But…

I was thinking more of the Trey Grimes and Justin Shorter types that had a 600 yard season and we're hailed as good producers. Just a difference in the standards then and now.

 

[GatorJ]

I was thinking more of the Trey Grimes and Justin Shorter types that had a 600 yard season and were hailed as good producers. Just a difference in the standards then and now.

I think there was a lot of hope with those guys but they were both five stars that had failed at other programs. I don’t think either of those guys were anywhere in the same ballpark as the kids we have now.

Strangely enough, Butters had pretty good receivers.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

I don’t think either of those guys were anywhere in the same ballpark as the kids we have now..

lol. I remember hearing this about Andy Jean and Mizell.

 

[LaylaGator]

Florida football commit Will Griffin passes Tim Tebow in Florida high school record books​

The next big name for Florida football just passed one of the most famous Gators of all time in the record books.

Will Griffin, a quarterback at Tampa Jesuit High School and a Florida Gators commit for the 2026 class, has now thrown for more career yards in high school than Tim Tebow did at Nease.

Tebow, a College Football Hall of Famer and Heisman Trophy winner at Florida, finished his prep career with 9,810 yards. Griffin entered his season opener needing just 46 yards to pass him, and he did it by the second quarter.

Griffin has now thrown for nearly 10,000 yards in his high school career—putting him among the most productive passers in Florida history.

Tampa Jesuit QB Will Griffin (@GatorsFB commit) had a storybook start to the year.

Griffin eclipsed 10,000 career passing yards in the win, and also passed Tim Tebow in Florida’s all-time passing leaders record book in the process.

MORE: https://t.co/KucfeqHHBi… pic.twitter.com/vZVPw9nA1R

— Nick Wilson (@NickWilsonUSAT) August 23, 2025

He's currently ranked No. 12 all-time in the state, according to MaxPreps, and could become just the 10th high school quarterback in Florida to ever reach the 10,000-yard mark.

Griffin isn't just piling up numbers—he's already made a name for himself nationally. He's a consensus four-star recruit, ranked among the top 15 quarterbacks in the country for the 2026 cycle. He's also competed in the Elite 11 Finals, the Polynesian Bowl and the Under Armour All-America Game.

Even more impressive, Griffin was the very first player to commit to Billy Napier's 2026 recruiting class, pledging to the Gators in June 2024.

Griffin's record-breaking moment is just the latest sign that Florida football may have its star quarterback waiting in the wings.

This article originally appeared on Gators Wire

 

[LaylaGator]

Just as a friendly reminder, Will Griffin did not commit because of Napier. He comes from a family of Gators. I believe he is committed to UF no matter what happens with Napier. So we got that going for us.

 

[oxrageous]

So why is he a 4-star recruit and not a 5?

 

[Silverback Gator]

Just as a friendly reminder, Will Griffin did not commit because of Napier. He comes from a family of Gators. I believe he is committed to UF no matter what happens with Napier. So we got that going for us.

Napier thanks god every day for legacy Gators.

 

[gatormandan]

So why is he a 4-star recruit and not a 5?

Cause he is committed to Florida?

 

[jmskjrgator]

Ox sold out Gatorchatter to jackasschatter. It was a missed opportunity.

 

[oxrageous]

Ox sold out Gatorchatter to jackasschatter. It was a missed opportunity.

 

[Theologator]

Man, that 1994 class was insanely proficient. I see three total names that weren’t serious contributors. Incredible.

Seems like a pattern with Spurrier’s classes. Not nearly the amount of busts we’ve seen with other coaches.

If1993 wasn’t a great class, A few gems but not like 1992 or 1994.

 

[Ancient Reptile]

So why is he a 4-star recruit and not a 5?

Because Napier can't recruit 5 stars.

 

[Ancient Reptile]

If1993 wasn’t a great class, A few gems but not like 1992 or 1994.

View attachment 84923

Seems like you guys are doing what I advocate-- evaluating classes post facto
the basis of performance. What I dislike is taking the recruiting service rankings as if carved in stone.

 

[GatorJ]

lol. I remember hearing this about Andy Jean and Mizell.

You remember hearing what about Jean and Mizzell? That they were better than Shorter and Grimes? That’s just a straight lie. Show me.

And show me something more than one random post. Show me where there was a consensus. Or at least enough people making noise about it. I’d like to see.

 

[GatorJ]

Florida football commit Will Griffin passes Tim Tebow in Florida high school record books​

The next big name for Florida football just passed one of the most famous Gators of all time in the record books.

Will Griffin, a quarterback at Tampa Jesuit High School and a Florida Gators commit for the 2026 class, has now thrown for more career yards in high school than Tim Tebow did at Nease.

Tebow, a College Football Hall of Famer and Heisman Trophy winner at Florida, finished his prep career with 9,810 yards. Griffin entered his season opener needing just 46 yards to pass him, and he did it by the second quarter.

Griffin has now thrown for nearly 10,000 yards in his high school career—putting him among the most productive passers in Florida history.


He's currently ranked No. 12 all-time in the state, according to MaxPreps, and could become just the 10th high school quarterback in Florida to ever reach the 10,000-yard mark.

Griffin isn't just piling up numbers—he's already made a name for himself nationally. He's a consensus four-star recruit, ranked among the top 15 quarterbacks in the country for the 2026 cycle. He's also competed in the Elite 11 Finals, the Polynesian Bowl and the Under Armour All-America Game.

Even more impressive, Griffin was the very first player to commit to Billy Napier's 2026 recruiting class, pledging to the Gators in June 2024.

Griffin's record-breaking moment is just the latest sign that Florida football may have its star quarterback waiting in the wings.

This article originally appeared on Gators Wire

I came here to post this. Very good quarterback. It’s hard to keep a stable of quarterbacks. But he’s one of those guys that will stick around.

 

[GatorJ]

So why is he a 4-star recruit and not a 5?

A couple reasons. But the main ones are probably because he does not have an elite arm and he has been solid at the camps but hasn’t really been a standout. He’s a great quarterback for this class. Napier is all in for the top quarterback of 2027 Elijah Haven. If we can get Haven it will give us the deepest quarterback room we’ve had in a long time.

5* DJ
4* Jones
4* Griffin
5* Haven

 

[GatorJ]

 

[neteng]

lol. I remember hearing this about Andy Jean and Mizell.

Jean has been injured. At least that seems to be the understanding but he just kinda fades away. So...ok.

But why are you writing Mizzell off? He has looked solid so far. He isn't 1st string but thats because of the talent in the room and not so much him.

 

[Concrete Helmet]

This is a fantasy. Spurrier usually had top 3 and never in my knowledge has less than top 7 or so.

This is the fantasy of people who let Slumlord Fooley try to claim that his boy Zook was the real recruiter and responsible for Spurrier and Meyer's success.

SOS's only #1 class was post Zook and his recruiting never waivered past top 10. I think the only exception I remember was one year around 96-98 when we had almost no seniors and were really close to 85 already.

But you can pretend whatever makes you happy and think rosters of 2 stars will some day win an NC for Southern Miss.

Most importantly and especially with SOS classes was the balance. We had adequate bodies at all positions and if those bodies lacked talent they were usually coached up to perform or replaced by the next guy in line. We didn't see guys on the field for extended periods or entire seasons that didn't belong on the field in the SEC....Unlike half of the team from 2020 to halfway through last season.

 

[Concrete Helmet]

So why is he a 4-star recruit and not a 5?

It's the Karl tax...