FLORIDA GATORS 2028 RECRUITING TARGETS PREDICTIONS: WHERE TOP PROSPECTS COULD LAND

Florida’s 2028 recruiting class is still in its early stages, but the Florida Gators are already positioning themselves for another major recruiting battle.

Jon Sumrall’s staff has made it clear that recruiting elite talent will be central to the program’s rebuild. That approach is already showing up in the 2028 cycle.

Florida landed its first 2028 commitment in June when four-star wide receiver Armani Strong chose the Gators over Miami, Notre Dame and Florida State.

But Strong could be only the beginning.

The Gators are pursuing several elite prospects, including some of the highest-rated players in the country. Several are from Florida, giving Sumrall an opportunity to establish an in-state foundation before the cycle reaches its most intense stage.

Florida Gators 2028 recruiting targets predictions start with Brysen Wright

Brysen Wright is arguably the biggest name on Florida’s 2028 recruiting board.

The Mandarin High School wide receiver is currently rated as a five-star prospect and sits at or near the top of the national rankings. On3 lists Wright as the No. 1 player nationally and the No. 1 wide receiver in the class.

That makes Wright a priority recruitment for virtually every major program.

Florida has an obvious advantage, though.

Wright is an in-state prospect from Jacksonville, meaning the Gators have proximity on their side. He has also visited Florida multiple times, including a visit in November 2024.

Prediction: Florida remains one of Wright’s strongest contenders.

The Gators should be viewed as a legitimate threat to land him, but calling the recruitment finished would be premature.

Florida Gators 2028 recruiting targets predictions point toward Asher Ghioto

Asher Ghioto is another Jacksonville prospect who could become a centerpiece of Florida’s 2028 recruiting effort.

The Bolles School edge rusher is rated as a five-star prospect and currently ranks among the nation’s elite at his position. On3 lists him No. 7 nationally and No. 2 among edge rushers.

Ghioto also has extensive history with Florida.

His visits to Gainesville date back several years, including multiple trips before Sumrall took over the program.

That matters.

Florida does not have to manufacture a relationship from scratch. The Gators already have familiarity with the prospect and his recruitment.

Prediction: Florida is in excellent position, but the race remains open.

Ghioto could become one of the most important defensive recruiting battles of the cycle.

Florida Gators 2028 recruiting targets predictions include Antonio Thomas Jr.

Florida’s search for defensive playmakers also puts Antonio Thomas Jr. firmly on the radar.

The Tampa-area edge rusher is another highly regarded in-state prospect. On3 currently lists Thomas among the nation’s top 20 players in the 2028 class.

Florida has already hosted Thomas.

That gives the Gators an opportunity to continue developing a relationship while the recruitment remains relatively early.

The biggest factor here could be Florida’s ability to sell Thomas on the defensive identity Sumrall wants to establish.

If the Gators can demonstrate development and winning on the field, Florida’s pitch becomes significantly stronger.

Prediction: Florida should remain firmly in the mix.

Florida Gators 2028 recruiting targets predictions put Kaleb Ballard on the radar

Kaleb Ballard represents another important position for Florida.

The Alabama tight end is highly regarded nationally and has already visited Gainesville. On3 lists Ballard among the top tight ends in the 2028 class.

His recruitment also gives Florida a chance to win a battle outside the state.

That is important because Sumrall cannot build an elite class exclusively through Florida high schools.

The Gators will eventually need to beat national programs for prospects from other parts of the Southeast.

Ballard could be an early test of that strategy.

Prediction: Florida is a serious contender, but Alabama-area ties make this one worth watching.

Florida Gators 2028 recruiting targets predictions keep Kingston Preyear in focus

Quarterback recruiting deserves special attention.

Kingston Preyear is a highly regarded quarterback from Alabama who has already visited Florida. On3 lists him among the top quarterbacks in the 2028 class.

Florida’s quarterback situation makes recruiting the position especially important.

The Gators will need to keep developing young quarterbacks while maintaining a pipeline of elite talent.

Preyear fits the profile of the type of player Florida should be evaluating early.

Prediction: Florida has a legitimate chance, but this recruitment could change dramatically over the next two years.

Florida Gators 2028 recruiting targets predictions reveal Sumrall’s recruiting strategy

The common thread among these prospects is clear.

Florida is attacking premium positions early.

Wide receiver.

Edge rusher.

Quarterback.

Tight end.

Those are positions that can change the trajectory of a roster.

The Gators are also emphasizing elite in-state talent. Wright, Ghioto and Thomas are examples of highly ranked Florida prospects who could become major battles.

That strategy makes sense.

Florida has one of the richest talent pools in the country. Keeping elite prospects inside the state can dramatically improve a recruiting class before the Gators even expand nationally.

Florida Gators 2028 recruiting targets predictions show why early relationships matter

Recruiting predictions at this stage should never be treated as commitments.

The 2028 class is still developing.

Players will change schools. Rankings will change. New offers will arrive. Coaching staffs will change. Visits will reshape recruitments.

But early relationships still matter.

Florida has already demonstrated that it intends to recruit the 2028 class aggressively. The Gators offered elite wide receiver John Matthews earlier in the cycle, and the staff has continued building relationships with top prospects.

The early groundwork could become extremely valuable when these recruits begin making official visits and narrowing their lists.

Florida Gators 2028 recruiting targets predictions could change after the 2026 season

The biggest variable is what happens on the field.

Sumrall entered Gainesville with a strong recruiting reputation and immediately attacked the recruiting trail. Florida’s 2027 class has already generated significant national attention, while the 2028 class now has its first commitment.

But winning recruiting battles becomes easier when prospects can see a successful program.

A strong first season could give Florida additional momentum.

A disappointing season would not end the recruiting effort, but it could give competitors ammunition.

That makes the 2026 season relevant to the 2028 recruiting cycle.

Florida Gators 2028 recruiting targets predictions: The early favorites

If the recruitment picture were frozen today, Florida would have a compelling case with several major targets.

Strongest Florida possibilities:

• Brysen Wright
• Asher Ghioto
• Antonio Thomas Jr.
• Kaleb Ballard
• Kingston Preyear

Wright and Ghioto stand out because of their elite rankings and existing connections to the program.

But there is an important distinction between being a contender and being the favorite.

Florida has positioned itself well.

The Gators still have work to do.

Florida Gators 2028 recruiting targets predictions could define Sumrall’s foundation

The 2028 cycle may ultimately become one of the most revealing recruiting classes of Sumrall’s early tenure.

His staff has already shown an appetite for elite talent.

The challenge now is turning interest into commitments.

Florida has the geographic advantage with several elite in-state prospects. It has the brand. It has the facilities. And Sumrall has made recruiting one of the program’s central priorities.

The next step is proving that momentum can survive the pressure of the SEC.

If Florida can do that, the Gators could enter the most important stages of the 2028 cycle with a legitimate chance at a special class.

Florida Gators 2028 recruiting targets predictions: FAQs

Who are the top Florida Gators 2028 recruiting targets?

Brysen Wright, Asher Ghioto and Antonio Thomas Jr. are among the most prominent Florida targets in the 2028 class, while Kaleb Ballard and Kingston Preyear are also important names to monitor.

Is Brysen Wright a Florida Gators recruiting target?

Yes. Wright is one of the highest-rated players in the 2028 class and has an established recruiting history with Florida.

Is Asher Ghioto considering Florida?

Florida is clearly involved in Ghioto’s recruitment, and the Jacksonville edge rusher has visited Gainesville multiple times.

Who was Florida’s first 2028 commitment?

Four-star wide receiver Armani Strong became Florida’s first 2028 commitment in June 2026. He chose the Gators over several major programs, including Miami, Notre Dame and Florida State.

Can Florida land a top-five 2028 recruiting class?

It is far too early to make that call, but Florida has already established a strong foundation. Landing elite in-state prospects such as Wright and Ghioto would significantly strengthen the Gators’ position.

When will Florida’s 2028 recruiting class take shape?

The class will evolve considerably over the next two years. Rankings, visits, official offers, coaching relationships and on-field results will all influence where prospects ultimately land.

Florida’s 2028 recruiting targets predictions point to a recruiting battle that could become one of the most important storylines of the Jon Sumrall era.