Florida’s 2024 season wasn’t pretty. But on the recruiting trail? It tells a different story. Billy Napier locked in a top-ten recruiting class for 2025 and the Gators are already pushing hard for 2026. They’re among the front runners to win the commitment of one of the top defensive players to fix their defensive gap with a mandatory boost. The latest buzz? A high-profile safety is eyeing Gainesville, and a certain 5-star QB is playing a key role in his decision.

4-star safety Bralan Womack, the No. 2 safety in the 2026 class, is high on Florida as one of his top four schools with scheduled official visits. In an interview with Emily Proud and Tom Loy on a new YouTube episode on 247Sports, he made it clear that DJ Lagway’s emergence as Florida’s future is a major factor. “Just the recent year, they just had a freshman come in DJ Lagway leading on the back end of the schedule, they dominated,” he revealed. “Just some things they can fix next year going into the season.” 

DJ Lagway didn’t get many reps behind Graham Mertz this past season but when he did, he delivered. Florida went 6-1 with him under center. The true freshman finished the season with 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns winning the last four straight games. He topped it off by touching Tulane in the final Gasparilla Bowl finishing 63 percent of his passes by completing 22-of-35 passes for 305 yards (Gasparilla Bowl record) and one touchdown. His passes and completion rate are both career-highs and he went home with the bowl MVP honors. His late-season dominance is now helping Florida sell its future for top recruits like Womack. 

Still, it’s not just Lagway drawing Womack to Florida. The Gators new co-DC and safeties coach Vinnie Sunseri, is making waves. “Recently, they just brought in coach Sunseri,” Womack said. “Coach was recently at Washington, played at Alabama, played New England, coached at New England. So you know, he’s coached at every level, played at every level so you know they have what it takes.” Sunseri, just 33, played and coached at both college and NFL levels, and that’s exactly the kind of pedigree Womack is looking for. But will his OV on May 30 seal the deal for Billy Napier? It’s early to say because another program is getting as much hype as Florida. 

Billy Napier locks horns with Ohio State for Bralan Womack 

The reigning National Champions are hard to ignore. Ohio State’s winning culture and their ability to develop elite talents have Bralan Womack’s interest. “Coming out of high school, a lot of people compared me to Caleb Downs,” he stated. “That’s a great comparison to be compared to. Looking at what [Ohio State] did for him this year, what they’ve done in recent years with the DB’s they’ve brought in and put in the league and kept in the league, there’s not a doubt in my mind that I can go there and be developed and get to the NFL.”

Bralan Womack isn’t wrong to think ahead. The No. 24 overall prospect and the reigning Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year led Hartfield to back-to-back state titles. His recruitment isn’t just about fits — it’s about development and his path to the next level. But for Florida, landing him isn’t just a win, it’s more of a necessity. The Gators’ defense was a mess in 2024, allowing nearly 3,000 yards passing in 13 games. 

Adding Bralan Womack wouldn’t just boost Florida‘s struggling defense — it would also deal a recruiting blow to SEC rivals like Texas A&M and Auburn, who are also in the mix. The battle is on!