There’s nothing to sugarcoat about Billy Napier‘s 2026 recruiting class right now. It’s shaky. And with Ryan Day out there picking off Florida talent, things are getting real for the Gators’ HC. Florida’s 2025 class looks solid — No. 9 in the country with 19 commits already on board. But that momentum isn’t carrying into 2026. As of now, they have only one commit in 4-star QB Will Griffin. The Gator saw three recruits decommit since January. That’s not the trend you want in the SEC, especially when recruiting monsters like Georgia and Alabama are breathing down your neck. And here’s another win that might not see a positive end result. 

This week, Billy Napier pulled a small win — a weekend visit from 4-star edge Luke Wafle, the No. 1 player in the state of New Jersey. Now, getting him to Gainesville is a big deal. But landing him could be a sorry case. Gators Online Corey Benders joined Josh Newberg on On3 Recruits on May 14 to drop the hammer. “When I look at the official visit list, I think he’s one guy that’s probably the least likely, just in my opinion,” he said. “His brother plays at Penn State. You have all these other big schools on his list. He’s another kid who has a lot of OVs in his calendar coming up.” And yeah, there’s another backstory that throws some light on the No. 51 overall prospect based on some familiarity with the program. 

Luke Wafle’s dad, David Wafle, was roommates with Florida’s offensive analyst Steve Spurrier Jr. back at Duke. “So there’s some familiarity there. They like the culture that Billy Napier’s instilling on campus,” Bender said. But is that enough to steer directions? The Florida insider added the truth bomb — “But when you look at the big picture, especially with all these other schools slated to get OVs after Florida, I think it’s a pretty big long shot.”  

You see, Luke Wafle is a freak — 53 tackles, 18 TFLs, and eight sacks as a junior at Hun School. And at 6’5.5, 245 pounds, he’s got the frame and motor Florida needs on that defensive line. But landing him is a headache because he’s already listed out his top four schools, and Billy Napier’s squad isn’t one of them. Wafle’s got official visits lined up with Ohio State (May 30), Penn State (June 6), Texas (June 20), and USC (TBA). While Florida has a chance to make an impression this weekend, it’s not a situation to be very high on. And Ryan Day isn’t slowing down a bit in the recruiting game.

Ryan Day steals Billy Napier’s in-state talent

Ohio State isn’t just in the mix for Luke Wafle. They’re turning Florida into their personal recruiting garden. In the 2024 recruiting cycle, Ryan Day pulled off the ultimate heist with the commitment of 5-star Florida WR Jeremiah Smith. In this year’s cycle, they have two Florida natives on their roster. In the 2026 cycle, they got a verbal from 4-star safety Simeon Caldwell and 3-star TE Corbyn Fordham, both from the Sunshine State. And it doesn’t stop at Billy Napier’s backyard alone. 

Ohio State’s staff is all over the 2026 class, checking in on elite 5-stars like Savion Hiter and Bralan Womack, both of whom have scheduled visits. The Buckeyes are ready to sit at No. 3 in next year’s class with 13 commits. And for the 2027 class? They just extended offers to elite DBs, including John Meredith III, the No. 1 corner in the country. Ryan Day is serious about maintaining the momentum the Buckeyes had in the 2024 season. 

As for Billy Napier and Florida, they’ll need to close the deal with Luke Wafle to call it a win. But they also have to focus on other visits from guys like 4-star CB Danny Odem, who has the Gators on his top-8 list. 

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