Florida football land Three fresh Composite four-star commits in the 2026 class give the Gators a boost end McCoy

Florida’s 2026 Recruiting Class Explodes with Three New Composite Four-Star Commitments

Over the span of less than 24 hours, the Florida Gators added three fresh 247Sports Composite four-star prospects to their 2026 recruiting class, injecting a surge of momentum into Billy Napier’s program. The wave of commitments—anchored by defensive lineman JaReylan McCoy, wide receiver Marquez Daniel and running back Carsyn Baker—represents a multifaceted boost to Florida’s roster, addressing needs in the trenches, in the skill positions and on the edge. With these pledges, the Gators have secured eight of their first ten commits since the start of June, vaulting to No. 28 nationally in the team Composite rankings and establishing themselves as a force in the SEC pipeline .

JaReylan McCoy: The Versatile Edge Rusher

Tupelo (Miss.) High School’s 6-foot-6, 245-pound defensive lineman JaReylan McCoy headlines the trio of commits. Rated a four-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite—and a five-star by ESPN—McCoy chose Florida over LSU and Texas, bringing with him more than 30 Power Five offers . According to the Composite, McCoy ranks as the No. 121 overall prospect nationally and the No. 16 defensive lineman in the Class of 2026.

McCoy’s combination of length, power and athleticism makes him a natural fit in multiple fronts of Billy Napier’s defense. Whether lining up as an interior disruptor or an outside edge rusher, he possesses the toolkit to make an immediate impact. Over three varsity seasons at Tupelo High, McCoy compiled 140 tackles and 18.5 sacks, showcasing his disruptive potential . His junior campaign culminated in a Mississippi 6A State Championship, where he logged 30 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks en route to a perfect 14–0 season record.

In discussing his decision, McCoy emphasized the family atmosphere he experienced in Gainesville. “They made me feel like family when I first got there,” he told 247Sports, pointing to his connection with head coach Billy Napier and defensive ends coach Mike Peterson as pivotal in his pledge . As Florida’s first edge rusher commitment in the 2026 cycle, McCoy ushers in a new era of defensive front-end talent for the Gators .

Marquez Daniel: The Towering Playmaker

Joining McCoy on the commitment list is Tuskegee (Ala.) Booker T. Washington standout Marquez Daniel, a 6-foot-5, 195-pound wide receiver whose frame and ball skills immediately grabbed Florida’s attention. A consensus four-star prospect, Daniel ranks as the No. 178 overall player and the No. 25 wide receiver in the Class of 2026, per the 247Sports Composite .

Despite living just 30 minutes from Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium and holding multiple SEC offers, Daniel chose Florida, crediting his rapport with wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales and the vision Napier laid out for his development. “What makes Florida stand out to me are the coaching staff,” Daniel told On3. “Coach Napier is really a great coach. He told me from day one that I will be a great student-athlete and he believed in me.”

On the field, Daniel is a technician with length and leaping ability, routinely winning contested catches outside the numbers. During his junior season, he hauled in 38 receptions for 757 yards and 12 touchdowns, building on a sophomore year that saw 33 catches for 640 yards and nine scores. His combination of size, hands and route-running polish projects him as a future X-receiver capable of matching up against the SEC’s top defensive backs.

Carsyn Baker: The Georgia-Bred Speedster

Rounding out the recruiting trifecta is Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes running back Carsyn Baker, whose commitment on Friday kicked off the weekend wave. Standing 6-foot, 195 pounds, Baker rushed for 1,282 yards and 13 touchdowns on 145 carries as a junior, averaging over 8.8 yards per carry and delivering a three-touchdown performance in the Georgia Class 5A State Championship Game .

An in-state prospect with more than 50 offers, Baker chose the Gators over Florida State, Ohio State and South Carolina, among others. He visited Gainesville in mid-May and returned last weekend, where he felt the staff’s pitch elevated Florida to the top of his list. “I was very impressed by them,” Baker told 247Sports. “They definitely jumped up my charts a lot. I had a great time.”

According to the 247Sports Composite, Baker checks in as the No. 187 overall prospect in the Class of 2026, the No. 15 running back and the No. 22 player from Georgia . His blend of contact balance, vision and burst will add another dynamic element to Florida’s backfield, complementing the Gators’ existing commitments at the position.

Rapid Climb in Team Rankings

Thanks to this flurry of four-star talent, Florida’s Class of 2026 has surged in the Composite team standings, climbing to No. 28 nationally and ranking sixth among SEC programs . Since June 1, the Gators have secured eight of their ten total commitments, cementing their early position in a cycle that continues to broaden under Napier’s watch.

The significance of McCoy’s addition cannot be overstated: he would become Florida’s highest-ranked defensive signing since five-star defensive end CeCe Jefferson in 2015, and the program’s first five-star addition since quarterback D.J. Lagway and pass rusher L.J. McCray in the 2024 class . As for Daniel and Baker, their versatile skill sets address two of Florida’s most pressing offensive needs—an X-receiver capable of stretching the field and a homegrown running back who can thrive between the tackles.

What’s Next on the Recruiting Trail

While the official visit season remains in full swing, Florida has several top targets still on campus over the next week. High on the wish list are four-star edge rusher Trenton Henderson (Atlanta), wideout Justin Williams (Jacksonville), and quarterback Will Griffin (Jacksonville). Each has already taken part in private visits and will be evaluated further during The Swamp’s highly anticipated Visitor Weekend, June 20–22.

Florida’s momentum at this juncture mirrors the program’s strategy of bold recruiting weekends, a tactic that Napier and his staff used effectively in the 2024 cycle. By securing cornerstone talents early—especially in the trenches and at skill positions—the Gators aim to build sustainable depth and compete immediately in the SEC upon these prospects’ enrollment.

Conclusion

The addition of JaReylan McCoy, Marquez Daniel and Carsyn Baker over a 24-hour span represents a defining moment for Florida’s 2026 recruiting class. Each brings a unique skill set: McCoy’s disruptive edge presence bolsters the defensive front, Daniel’s size and catch radius enhance the passing attack, and Baker’s Georgian toughness enriches the backfield rotation. Combined, they exemplify the well-balanced approach Billy Napier has embraced—targeting impact players across all three levels of the ball.

As Florida continues to climb the Composite rankings and solidify its status among SEC contenders, these three four-star commits serve as a testament to the program’s growing appeal. With official visits still to come and more prospects on the horizon, Gator Nation can expect the momentum to carry forward well into the summer. Ultimately, the infusion of this talent not only accelerates Florida’s immediate competitive aspirations but also lays the groundwork for sustained success in Gainesville for years to come.