Florida Gators pursuit of five-star recruit on the gridiron could have a ripple effect for Todd Golden

It could be a massive game changer for the Florida Gators.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Head basketball coach Todd Golden, new Womens basketball head coach Tammi Reiss, and Florida head football coach Jon Sumrall pose for a photo during a press conference after spring practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun

The Florida Gators have been recruiting hard within the football program. Head coach Jon Sumrall has things trending in the right direction, something that former head coach Billy Napier couldn’t get on track in the way that is expected in Gainesville.

Over the weekend, the Gators had another big recruiting weekend, highlighted by five-star offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller, who is the fourth overall recruit in the 2027 class. He was just given a third expert prediction to land with the Gators, and it could end up helping Todd Golden on the basketball court.

Football recruiting could impact the Florida Gators on the basketball court

Hiller has built up a strong relationship with offensive line coach Phil Trautwein to the tune of 14 visits during his recruitment. It’s the biggest reason why he’s likely to head to Gainesville. When that commitment ends up coming in, the Gators could end up getting a major benefit on the basketball court.

Head coach of the basketball team, Todd Golden, has done a great job in rebuilding the program on the hardwood. The expected commitment of Hiller could end up being a positive for him as well. Maxwell’s brother, Colton, is an elite five-star small forward who ranks third overall in the 2028 recruiting class.

That could link Colton to Golden for the first time, as they have yet to show serious interest, but with Maxwell likely coming to Gainesville, there’s a chance his brother could end up following him.

It wouldn’t be the first, second, or last time that brothers commit to the same school. The football team itself has seen multiple sets of brothers. This past year, defensive backs Drake and Hylton Stubbs were on the football team, and their more famous duo of brothers are Mike and Maurkice, the Pouncey twins. It’s something worth keeping an eye on for the Gators.

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