Inside the Huddle – Class of 2026 (Miami, FSU, UF, UCF and USF)
Recruiting over the past decade as changed. Schools would recruit players, bring them on official visits during the fall and look to land their signatures in February every year. The recruiting Calendar has changed as NSD now begins in December and once February rolls around 98 percent of most schools classes are done. University of Miami sits at #8 in the 247 rankings with (20 commits), FSU sits at #11 (22 commits), and UF is rated #16 (15 commits). All three programs will have a shot at top ten classes. We will break down each class along with USF and UCF.
University of Miami
Top players committed: Jackson Cantwell (Nixa HS-Missouri)-OT, Vance Spafford (Mission Viejo HS-California)-WR, Asharri Charles (Venice HS-Florida)-DE, Dereon Coleman (Orlando Jones HS-Florida)-WR.
Class Breakdown by Position – QB (1), RB (1), WR (2), TE (1), 3 (OT), 3 (OG/C), DE (1), DT (2), LB (2), DB (4)
Thoughts: When I break down a recruiting class the #1 thing we look at is balance. Miami has done a great job of landing at least one player at each position. Their OL class is once again one of the best in the country. Jackson Cantwell is as close to a can’t miss prospect as you will see in recruiting. He moves extremely well for someone his size. You look at the rest of their OL class adding players like Joel Ervin, Ben Congdon, Cannon Pickett, and Rhys Woodrow will only replenish the offensive lineman depth chart. The most underrated player in the Miami class is quarterback Dereon Coleman. He is rated a 3* by some networks and that is criminal as you can argue that Coleman is one of the best quarterbacks in the country. This class fills almost every need as the Hurricanes have once again picked up talent at each position.
University of Florida
The Gators closed strong on the 2025 class. Having Dallas Wilson switch over from University of Oregon as well as land Ben Hanks who some could argue was the best defensive back in Florida along with the top rated slot receiver Vernell Brown has given them some momentum heading into the upcoming season. UF is currently ranked #16 overall in the 247 composite rankings.
Top players committed: CJ Bronaugh (Windermere HS)-CB, Kendall Guervil (Fort Myers HS-Florida) DT, Justin Williams (Buchholz HS-Florida) WR.
Class breakdown by position – QB (1), RB (1), WR (2), 1 (TE), OT (3), OG/C (2), DT (2), DE (0), LB (0), DB (3)
Thoughts: It is early so giving a full breakdown of their class is a bit premature. I am big on balance in classes so not having any defensive ends or linebackers committed is a bit of a concern for me. I look at Carsyn Baker from Langston Hughes and the fact that he is a 3(*) is crazy. UF under Napier has done a phenomenal job of evaluating running backs. Baker is probably one of the better running backs in the Southeast. Look for him to play above his ranking. The one player who could end up an NFL first round pick is Chancellor Campbell out of Lakewood HS. He has great size and length. He was one of the best offensive tackle prospects we saw at camps this spring. Landing Kendall Guervil was huge as he is a top ranked DT. This is a good class but if they want to finish in the top ten again, UF must fill needs long the DL and linebacker positions.
Florida State
The Seminoles just landed five star Chauncey Kennon out of Sarasota, Florida. The top ranked cornerback helped put FSU closer to a top ten class. The Seminoles are coming off a 2-10 season so this class is quite impressive considering those results.
Class breakdown by position – QB -(1), RB (1), WR (5), TE (1), OT (0), OG/C (2), DT (4), DE (1), LB (2), DB (5)
Thoughts: FSU 2026 class on paper could go down as the best one that HC Mike Norvell has signed. This class does need tackles and defensive ends. Those are two positions FSU needs to upgrade for this class to get into the top ten nationally. They have 5 defensive lineman committed but with the scheme they run none of these guys are locked into one position. They will be moved around once on campus. We expect them to have one of the top wide receiver and defensive backs classes in the nation. The most underrated players in this class is running back Amari Thomas. He has the type of speed to change a game on one play. I am huge on class balance. I would rather them take one less receiver and use that spot on a tackle or a defensive end.
USF
The Bulls have the top ranked G5 class in the nation according to 247 Sports. They sit at #51 overall and have 33 commitments at this time. Coach Alex Golesh has done a great job of flipping a roster which was one of the worst in college football just a few years ago.
Class breakdown by position -QB (1), RB (2), WR (4), TE (2), OT (4), OG/C (2) DE (4) DT (2), LB (3), DB (7), ST (2)
Thoughts: Remember the name Noah Mercer from Key West. Watched him this spring and he dominated. Mercer plays on both sides of the football. He is the type of player who USF has always found and ended up hitting on. This class has both talent and balance across the board. We like the addition of Quarterback Rhys Brush. He is much underrated. Safety Amari Jones is a big time get as he will be one of the top safeties to come out of this year’s class. If HC Alex Golesh continues to recruit at this level the Bulls could be a dark horse as a non P5 school to make the playoffs year in and year out.
UCF
The UCF Knights went back into the time machine and hired Scott Frost back. The last time in Orlando he took them to an unbeaten regular season. The Knights crowned themselves National Champs. They now are part of the Big 12 Conference and if he does what happened the last time in Orlando they can actually play for a real national title. Right now UCF sits at 64th in the composite rankings. They have some nice early commitments from Alhassan Iddrissu and Kaj Baker. The Somerset Academy star has run in the sub 10.5 (100m) range and won state titles in Track and Field.
Class breakdown by position- QB (2), RB (2), WR (0), TE (0), OT (1), OG/C (1), DE (2), DT (2), LB (2), DB (3)
Thoughts: With 15 commitments and Frost just getting back in the swing of things it will take some time for him to get UCF back there where they were. This is a roster that is not devoid of talent but this time around may be much tougher on Frost. They need to add some players at receiver, tight end, tackle and guard. This class being Frost first year may end up short on numbers. With the transfer portal, UCF should be able to bring in another 15-20 players this off-season. We really like Baker as we feel that he fits this offense very well. Landing Iddrissu is huge as the kid gives them a legit edge rusher. The money positions are QB, outside WR, OT, DE, DT and CB. This class really won’t be able to be evaluated until after the season.