GAINESVILLE — Florida completed a closing surge on the recruiting trail after a three-game winning streak led by true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway vastly improved the prospects for Billy Napier’s program .
UF’s 2025 class moved into the No. 11 spot in the rankings, up from No. 45 three weeks ago, with the commitment of 4-star safety Lagonza Hayward , a native of Lyons, Ga., and the nation’s No. 9 player at his position, per 247Sports composite rankings.
Two legacy Gators — Orlando Jones star receiver Vernell Brown III and Miami Booker T. Washington cornerback Ben Hanks Jr. — headline the class. Brown and Hanks are among 11 in-state prospects, but UF’s reach extended to recruiting hotbeds Georgia, home to five signees, and Texas (three) along with five other states.
Despite their late push, Gators still finished eighth among SEC schools , behind Tennessee, Texas A&M and LSU. Texas, Georgia and Alabama held the top three spots.
Fab 5
Brown: The 5-11, 170-pound son of former Gator receiver/cornerback Vernell Brown Jr. is the highest-rated player in the class (No. 33 overall) and has a nose for the end zone. He caught 70 passes for 1,363 yards and 10 touchdowns while scoring four times on special teams (3 punt returns and a kickoff return).