Florida is heating up on the recruiting trail. The Gators just landed a trio of weekend commitments, headlined by explosive 4-star WR Marquez Daniel. Joining him are 6-foot-6 edge rusher JaReylan McCoy and dynamic RB Carsyn Baker—following pledges from local star Justin Williams and towering 6-8 lineman Chancellor Campbell—taking Billy Napier’s 2026 class to No. 29 in the 247Sports composite. Now, with 10 commitments already locked in, Napier’s building a solid foundation, that will only get better if they can land this next superstar prospect.

17-year-old Kaiden Prothro, one of the nation’s elite TEs, returned to the Swamp this weekend again—and Florida may have just closed the gap this time around. Well, hear it from the 5-star Under Armour All-American from Bowdon (Ga.) High himself.

“I’d say Florida is up there for me with Georgia,” said Prothro. “Florida is a great program and got great things coming here. They’re up there and two programs I’ve been looking at for a while.” So, Billy Napier’s team is clearly making noise—and Prothro’s interest is peaking at the right time.

On June 16, Gators insider Corey Bender revealed that Kaiden Prothro came into the weekend visit unsure about where Florida truly stood out. Georgia and Auburn had been seen as the clear frontrunners. But by the time Prothro wrapped up his trip, the Gators had skyrocketed into his top two. So, what changed? It was all about connection. “I’d say just getting to know the coaches more,” said Prothro. Adding, “The coaches do a great job around here. Also, seeing the players trust the coaches and the players trusting the players.” 

Additionally, Florida’s 12-personnel, tight end-friendly offense was also something that especially impressed the youngster. “They run a pro-style offense, so they’re going to get the tight end the ball.” “They got some guys this year that will showcase what I would do just watching them.”

Yet, the Gators left no stone unturned in its pitch to the budding player. The staff didn’t just roll out the red carpet—they rolled out the vision. The Gators made it crystal clear: Prothro isn’t just a TE in their system—he’s a weapon. A hybrid threat who can line up outside, stretch the field, and wreak havoc on mismatches. Think Kyle Pitts 2.0. “I’d say I was kind of questioning them a little bit,” admitted Prothro. But right now, “They definitely jumped in my recruitment a little bit more just seeing Florida, what they do here and how well the staff is ran here.”

So, with just one official visit left—Texas is up next—the 5-star phenom is gearing up for a July decision. And Florida has firmly thrown its hat into the ring—roping in even their Gators QB commit on the recruiting trail.

Billy Napier’s QB turns heads with a recruiting push

Billy Napier’s Florida QB commit, Will Griffin, has stepped up as a vocal recruiter for Kaiden Prothro. Over a string of recent visits, the bond between the two has grown stronger. Griffin’s message has been clear—he wants Prothro in Gainesville, catching passes and building something special. “He was talking to me about building something great here,” said Prothro. Adding, “Even if I don’t come here, he still has high hopes for me and just wishes me the best. He’s a great quarterback.”

While this QB push could give Florida an edge in landing Prothro, one thing’s already clear—Billy Napier kicked off the weekend with a bang, securing a major commitment from 4-star wide receiver Marquez Daniel. The early-morning pledge set the tone for a momentum-packed stretch in Gainesville. Because Daniel chose the Gators over heavy hitters like Vols, Auburn, and Arkansas—sending a strong signal that Florida is gaining serious ground on the recruiting trail.

As Billy Napier racks up back-to-back recruiting wins, one big question looms—can this squad turn the momentum into a title run that secures his job for good? The buzz is building in Gainesville, but on-field results will be the ultimate test.