Graphic: UAA Communications
Carter's Corner: Gators Maintain Momentum During Early Signing Period
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. β The traditional hoopla of National Signing Day was missing. That is a trend across the industry, with the college football calendar in disarray.
There was no press conference on Wednesday, nor were there visits from ESPN or the SEC Network to document the day. It didn't matter.
The Gators turned in a workmanlike effort, short on flash but loaded with substance, the way Jadan Baugh ran against Florida State four days earlier.
Florida's fresh era under head coach Jon Sumrall took a decisive first step Wednesday as the Gators secured an impressiveΒ first wave of 16 signees to open the Early National Signing Period, stabilizing a class that had been in flux following the program's coaching transition from Billy Napier to interim head coach Billy Gonzales, and on Monday, with the introduction of Sumrall.
What began as a day filled with questions β after a 4β8 season and coaching transition β evolved into a day markedΒ by steady confirmations and a handful of key additions. By mid-afternoon, Florida had signed nearly all of its committed prospects while positioning itself to close with one of the nation's top recruiting classes for 2026.
Β
Massive Georgia offensive tackle Tyler Chukuyem, a 6-foot-6, 280-pound four-star prospect, was the first to make it official. The Gators posted Chukuyem's addition on their official X account at 7:08 a.m. From there, Florida continued to roll in signatures, particularly at the skill positions.
Highly regarded wide receiver Davian Groce, one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country, finalized his commitment after a late push from several SEC rivals, including persistent interest from Oklahoma. Defensive back CJ Bronaugh and edge rusher KJ FordΒ β both priority targets for the new staffβ also made their pledges official, reinforcing areas of need on the defensive front and in the secondary. Tampa Jesuit quarterback Will Griffin, Florida's first commitment in the 2026 class, held firm and adds depth to a quarterback room that is set to return sophomore DJ Lagway, freshman Tramell Jones Jr. and redshirt freshman Aidan Warner if no one transfers.
The transfer portal opens Jan. 2 and runs through Jan. 16, a period certain to be busy for Sumrall and his staff as they get settled in Gainesville followingΒ Tulane's season.
The Gators' defensive haul was further strengthened by a group of linemen and hybrid defenders the staff has targeted for Sumrall's preferred scheme, including defensive linemen Kendall Guervil of Fort Myers and edge rusher Jareylan McCoy of Tupelo, Miss. Florida's ability to retain those commitments, despite weeks of recruiting turbulence following the coaching change, was viewed by analysts as a significant win.
"The fact that UF only lost one commit is still impressive when you look at how other programs had their class fall apart during a coaching change," wrote Blake Alderman, a recruiting reporter and analyst for On3.com. "It took some work with NIL to hold onto some of Florida's 2026 commitments. As a result of their sticking, it has to give UF fans confidence in the program's ability to win some of these recruitments when NIL becomes a factor."
Perhaps most importantly for Florida, no major decommitments materialized, a common problem nationally for programs undergoing transitions. Instead, several prospects credited early communication from Sumrall and the continuity of certain support staff members for maintaining their confidence in the program.
Sumrall and UF athletic director Scott Stricklin held a Zoom call with Florida's commitments on Sunday night to ease any concerns over the direction of the program.
For Sumrall, who arrived in Gainesville with a reputation as an energetic recruiter, Wednesday offered a critical opportunity to reset the trajectory of a roster that was talented in 2025 but failed to live up to expectations. Florida's class began the signing period ranked inside the national top 15, and staff members believe a strong close could push the Gators even higher.
"We're building a foundation," Sumrall said at his introductory press conference on Monday. "There haven't been a whole lot of decommitments, which is really powerful. It speaks a lot about what this place is. I think we've got a lot of great players, and I think we really got high character in that class."
Florida expects additional signatures in the coming days. But for a program seeking stability and direction, the opening day of the Early Signing Period brought something equally valuable: momentum into 2026.
Β
There was no press conference on Wednesday, nor were there visits from ESPN or the SEC Network to document the day. It didn't matter.
The Gators turned in a workmanlike effort, short on flash but loaded with substance, the way Jadan Baugh ran against Florida State four days earlier.
Florida's fresh era under head coach Jon Sumrall took a decisive first step Wednesday as the Gators secured an impressiveΒ first wave of 16 signees to open the Early National Signing Period, stabilizing a class that had been in flux following the program's coaching transition from Billy Napier to interim head coach Billy Gonzales, and on Monday, with the introduction of Sumrall.
What began as a day filled with questions β after a 4β8 season and coaching transition β evolved into a day markedΒ by steady confirmations and a handful of key additions. By mid-afternoon, Florida had signed nearly all of its committed prospects while positioning itself to close with one of the nation's top recruiting classes for 2026.
Β
Awesome job today by @GatorsFB & @GreenWaveFB coaches and support staffs holding classes togetherβ¦great to see the signees make decisions to stick together. Still a lot of work to do be done for 2026. @GatorsFB @GreenWaveFB #GMFG #RMFW
β Jon Sumrall (@CoachJonSumrall) December 3, 2025
Massive Georgia offensive tackle Tyler Chukuyem, a 6-foot-6, 280-pound four-star prospect, was the first to make it official. The Gators posted Chukuyem's addition on their official X account at 7:08 a.m. From there, Florida continued to roll in signatures, particularly at the skill positions.
Highly regarded wide receiver Davian Groce, one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country, finalized his commitment after a late push from several SEC rivals, including persistent interest from Oklahoma. Defensive back CJ Bronaugh and edge rusher KJ FordΒ β both priority targets for the new staffβ also made their pledges official, reinforcing areas of need on the defensive front and in the secondary. Tampa Jesuit quarterback Will Griffin, Florida's first commitment in the 2026 class, held firm and adds depth to a quarterback room that is set to return sophomore DJ Lagway, freshman Tramell Jones Jr. and redshirt freshman Aidan Warner if no one transfers.
The transfer portal opens Jan. 2 and runs through Jan. 16, a period certain to be busy for Sumrall and his staff as they get settled in Gainesville followingΒ Tulane's season.
The Gators' defensive haul was further strengthened by a group of linemen and hybrid defenders the staff has targeted for Sumrall's preferred scheme, including defensive linemen Kendall Guervil of Fort Myers and edge rusher Jareylan McCoy of Tupelo, Miss. Florida's ability to retain those commitments, despite weeks of recruiting turbulence following the coaching change, was viewed by analysts as a significant win.
"The fact that UF only lost one commit is still impressive when you look at how other programs had their class fall apart during a coaching change," wrote Blake Alderman, a recruiting reporter and analyst for On3.com. "It took some work with NIL to hold onto some of Florida's 2026 commitments. As a result of their sticking, it has to give UF fans confidence in the program's ability to win some of these recruitments when NIL becomes a factor."
Perhaps most importantly for Florida, no major decommitments materialized, a common problem nationally for programs undergoing transitions. Instead, several prospects credited early communication from Sumrall and the continuity of certain support staff members for maintaining their confidence in the program.
Sumrall and UF athletic director Scott Stricklin held a Zoom call with Florida's commitments on Sunday night to ease any concerns over the direction of the program.
For Sumrall, who arrived in Gainesville with a reputation as an energetic recruiter, Wednesday offered a critical opportunity to reset the trajectory of a roster that was talented in 2025 but failed to live up to expectations. Florida's class began the signing period ranked inside the national top 15, and staff members believe a strong close could push the Gators even higher.
"We're building a foundation," Sumrall said at his introductory press conference on Monday. "There haven't been a whole lot of decommitments, which is really powerful. It speaks a lot about what this place is. I think we've got a lot of great players, and I think we really got high character in that class."
Florida expects additional signatures in the coming days. But for a program seeking stability and direction, the opening day of the Early Signing Period brought something equally valuable: momentum into 2026.
Β
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
QB
/ FootballFlorida Football | New Head Football Coach Jon Sumrall Wants to Win "TOMORROW" π
Tuesday, December 02
Florida Football | New Head Football Coach Jon Sumrall "WILL NEVER BACK DOWN" ππ€
Tuesday, December 02
Florida Football | New Head Football Coach Jon Sumrall is "ALL IN" π
Tuesday, December 02
Florida Football | Head Coach Jon Sumrall Introductory Press Conference
Tuesday, December 02
