Florida’s recruiting game is on fire, and coach Billy Napier is making a serious run at some top prospects! After two losing seasons (6-7 and 5-7), Napier is working overtime to rebuild the Gators’ roster, especially for the 2025 recruiting cycle. 

Even with those losing records, Napier snagged some elite stars. And now he’s setting his sights on a coveted linebacker who could be a game-changer.

On July 22, On3 recruiting analyst Josh Newberg spoke about the recruiting competition around 4-star linebacker Ty Jackson. However, Jackson isn’t in a rush to decide. Newberg says, “He’s already come out and said he’s making it in early December on the early signing period… he’s going to watch this season play out.” This could be good news for the Gators, as Newberg predicts a winning season could be the tipping point for Jackson. Even On3’s Steve Wiltfong agrees, saying, “Ty Jackson he’s visited Florida as much as any program in his process. If Florida has the season that they’re trying to have, their program is going to be hard to beat for Ty Jackson as he continues through his process.”

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Now, landing Jackson would be a huge win for Napier. He’s ranked the No. 1 LB in the country and is a top target for many colleges. Big-name schools like Kirby Smart’s Georgia and Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama are after him. Jackson also checked out these schools, along with Penn State, during his official visits; thus, it will be a battle to see who lands this top recruit.

But the Gators seem to heat up! Looks like they’ve found the spark on the recruiting trail. 

Billy Napier stockpiles stars for his Gators team

Billy Napier is on a recruiting roll, shaking things up for coaches like Smart and DeBoer. Just this July, Napier snagged linebacker Myles Johnson. The 6-foot-1 athlete left Alabama for Florida after feeling a connection with the Gators’ defensive staff. That wasn’t all — on July 21, Napier landed a massive win with 5-star wide receiver Vernell Brown III! This, along with 4-star receiver Joshua Moore, gives Florida two top 10 wide receivers for the future.

The momentum doesn’t stop there. Recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong says, “Naeshaun Montgomery is another top target for Florida. They’ve recruited him heavily for years now. Napier has built a good relationship with the kid.” Montgomery, a coveted 4-star Miami Central wide receiver, is now considering Alabama and Penn State, but Florida seems to be in the lead. 

Looks like this is a fantastic month for Napier, and it could continue! If the Gators can pull off some wins in the brutal SEC this year, it might be enough to convince linebacker Ty Jackson to join the team, too. But with a challenging schedule, can Napier deliver?