Florida Gators get huge news on elite five-star recruit, and Jon Sumrall’s work is far from over

The Florida Gators’ recruiting class is shaping up to be elite, and Jon Sumrall got some huge news to make it better.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Team Roses' Easton Royal (3) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the Under Armour All-America Game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand.
Team Roses’ Easton Royal (3) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the Under Armour All-America Game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand. Nadia Zomorodian/News-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Recruiting for the Florida Gators has been incredible. Head coach Jon Sumrall just landed his 18th commitment of the 2027 recruiting class in four-star OT Kennedee Jackson. His commitment vaulted the Gators into the top-five recruiting classes for both Rivals and 247 Sports.

The work is far from done with this class, as Sumrall is currently still pursuing multiple five-star recruits to join the Gators, with the biggest of them being five-star wide receiver Easton Royal, who is currently committed to the Texas Longhorns.

Florida Gators get great news with five-star WR Easton Royal

After committing to the Longhorns, schools didn’t stop pursuing Royal, and for good reason. He’s an incredible recruit who can be a difference maker wherever he ends up. With multiple programs looking to poach him, things are starting to clear up.

On Tuesday, Royal cancelled two upcoming visits to the LSU Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers. He just visited the Tigers and will be on campus next weekend visiting the Gators.

He’s been huge on the Gators for a while, and spoke very highly of the energy in the building to Rivals.

“It’s different. He’s completely changed the energy,” Royal has said of Sumrall. “It was loud during practice. A lot of energy. You can hear Coach Sumrall anywhere in the building. He’s hype, he wants to be there. He sat me down in his office and told me that if I came there, he guaranteed he’d be here every year I’m here. The coaches had great energy, and the players fed off it. They’re going hard off each other. It was competitive. Before practice, they showed me the WR to watch and how I’d be used. On the first play, he was in the backfield, then at tight end motioning him out to get him open … It was great.”

Can the Gators seal the deal, and land Royal? His second visit in Gainesville could shift everything.

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