Florida Gators land in great position to secure elite recruit, but they still have an uphill battle to get there
Jon Sumrall has done a great job when it comes to recruiting, and the work isn’t done with one of the top 2028 recruits.
Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall continues to recruit at a high level, and he has landed in the top three for one of the best prospects in the class of 2028. Mandarin (FL) Mustangs wide receiver Brysen Wright has the Gators in his final three, and he is set to announce his decision Thursday.
Landing Wright would be a huge win for Sumrall. He is the No. 3 overall recruit and the No. 1 wide receiver in the Rivals Industry Plus rankings. Florida would be adding an elite talent at a premium position to a recruiting operation that is already on a roll.
Bryson Wright has the tools you can’t teach
Wright is listed at 6-foot-3.5, 210 pounds, and he brings a lot of ability to the table. According to his Rivals scouting report, his top attributes are ball skills, body control, size, and physicality.
He still needs to develop a little bit as a route runner. However, that isn’t much of a concern for a high school prospect. Route running is something you can develop over time with practice and technique work. Skills can be developed, while you can’t teach speed, athleticism, or size, and Wright has all of those traits.
The intrigue lies in the comparison. Rivals sees a lot of Mike Evans of the San Francisco 49ers in Wright’s game. Evans was a top-10 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and that profile fits what Wright brings as a big-bodied receiver who wins with his frame and his hands.
Florida faces two major challengers
The Gators’ two biggest challengers for Wright are the Texas Longhorns and Miami Hurricanes. Right now, Miami appears to be the team more likely to land him Thursday, with a more than 97% chance to land him per the Rivals Prediction Machine.
It wouldn’t be much of a surprise to see the Hurricanes come out on top. Miami has been recruiting at a high level, and it has put itself in a strong position with one of the top prospects in the country. Texas is also a heavyweight on the recruiting trail, which makes Florida’s path even tougher.
Still, the Gators have a strong pitch. Florida already landed Easton Royal, the No. 3 overall recruit in the class of 2027 and the No. 1 receiver prospect in that class. Showing Wright that the program can land and develop elite receivers is a big part of the sales job.
What Wright would mean for the Gators’ receiver room
Adding Wright to a receiver group that could include Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III, who would potentially be fourth-year players by the time he arrives, would be a massive win. Pairing a veteran core with Royal and Wright would give the Gators one of the most talented receiver rooms in the country.
It does not feel likely at this point, though. Miami holds the edge, and Texas remains firmly in the mix.
However, there are still a few days until Wright makes his announcement. Florida hosted Wright and his family for the Ole Miss game, and that kind of visit can make a real impression on a prospect and the people closest to him. Until Wright makes it official Thursday, anything is possible for Sumrall and the Gators.
