Latest news with #2026Recruiting
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida Leads Pack for Top 2026 Defender
Florida Leads Pack for Top 2026 Defender originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier comes into 2025 on the backs of an 8-5 season, which was his first winning record since taking the job in 2022. Advertisement Recruits are beginning to sense Florida's momentum, including four-star cornerback CJ Hester. On3's Chad Simmons reported that the Gators are continuing to trend for the prospect on Monday. Florida is also making moves with a pair of defensive linemen from the 2026 class. The Gators were a finalist for four-star defensive lineman Preston Carey and were predicted to land four-star defensive lineman Kendall Guervil. Hester is a native of Cocoa, Florida, and listed at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds. Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier.© Melina Myers-Imagn Images Hester is the No. 24 cornerback in the On3 Industry Rankings for the 2026 class. Florida is the clear favorite in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, with a 95.9% chance to land him. Advertisement The next closest schools are the Syracuse Orange (1.3%), the Georgia Bulldogs (<1%), the Auburn Tigers (<1%), and the Iowa Hawkeyes (<1%). Florida has visited with Hester the most out of any team during his recruitment. The Gators recently had their fifth, which was an official visit back on May 30. The Gators would have two cornerbacks committed from the 2026 class if Hester picks his in-state school. Florida's 2026 class is led by four-star CJ Bronaugh, four-star defensive lineman JaReylan McCoy and four-star receiver Marquez Daniel. Napier has taken Florida to a pair of bowl games since his first season. In 2022, the Gators faced the Oregon State Beavers in the Las Vegas Bowl and lost 30-3. Advertisement He earned his first bowl win last season by beating Tulane 33-8 in the Gasparilla Bowl. Florida opens the 2025 season against Long Island on August 30. Related: Florida Gaining Ground With No. 1 OT Recruit This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kentucky football recruiting 2026: Texas WR Davis McCray commits to Mark Stoops
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football's 2026 recruiting class has taken time to come together. UK and coach Mark Stoops didn't receive their first commitment from a 2026 prospect until March 30, when in-state offensive lineman Jarvis Strickland elected to stay home. Two more months passed until the Wildcats landed their second pledge: Wide receiver Davis McCray joined the class June 3. Advertisement As of June 3, Kentucky's class sits 81st nationally — last among the 16 teams in the SEC — in the 247Sports Composite rankings. Here's a look at the Wildcats' 2026 recruiting class so far: Kentucky football recruiting 2026 commitments Davis McCray, WR High school: Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio) 247Sports Composite rating: 3 stars Commitment status: Verbally committed June 3 What to know: The Texas native played on offense and defense last season for Cornerstone Christian. On offense, McCray had 32 receptions for 639 yards and 10 touchdowns and added 38 tackles and a a forced fumble defensively. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound McCray also was part of the school's track and field team, competing in the 100 meters and long jump. Jarvis Strickland, OL High school: Paducah Tilghman (Paducah) Advertisement 247Sports Composite rating: 4 stars Commitment status: Verbally committed March 30 What to know: A 6-6, 294-pound offensive lineman, Strickland decided to stay in the Bluegrass State, becoming the first member of UK's 2026 class when he committed March 30. He also had offers from Louisville, SEC rivals Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt as well as Big Ten schools Indiana, Maryland, Michigan and Michigan State. Strickland's high school teammate, Martels Carter Jr., is a member of the Wildcats' 2025 signing class. Reach Kentucky men's basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@ and follow him on X at @RyanABlack. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky football recruiting 2026 commits, class ranking: Mark Stoops
