Florida's Power 4 schools are cautious about signing football players

In the recruiting calendar, June is usually marked by camps, official visits and commitments.

Well, for some it is the time of committed relationships.

While Florida, Florida State, Miami and UCF each hosted hundreds, if not thousands, of high school football players this month and invited some of the state's best players on official visits, commitments for the state's Power 4 programs aren't exactly pouring in.

Miami was able to sign three in-state players in a three-day span this week – Miami Central safety Amari Wallace, Orlando Christian Prep offensive tackle Demetrius Campbell and Edgewater offensive tackle Jaden Wilkerson. Wiregrass Ranch offensive lineman Gavin Blanchard committed to UCF during his official visit on June 2. These are the only in-state players committed to in-state schools in June.

Miami added another player this month: three-star cornerback Timothy Merritt from Alabama. Florida's only new signing this month was Hayden Craig, the country's top-ranked punter from Maine.

Florida State hasn't had a commitment in over five months since Cocoa edge rusher Javion Hilson – the top-ranked defensive player in the USA Today Florida Network Top 100 – announced his decision on Jan. 16.

By comparison, Mississippi State had eight commitments in the four days from June 14 to 18, including two players from Florida. Rutgers' class of 2025 is almost complete with 27 commitments, including five from Florida.

So is the lack of commitments for June a cause for concern or is it simply that teams would rather wait than push for a commitment?

It really depends on the school whether it's a problem or could even be considered a problem. For Florida, it might be a problem. For Florida State, probably not.

Dealing with the decision-making of 17- and 18-year-olds is certainly not an exact science, but there are factors why June's lack of commitment may not be a major problem.

For many top recruits, early July has become a time with more commitments than June. This schedule allows them to take official visits in June before making a decision the following month. Bigger recruits also have more offers, and programs like to wait until the player feels comfortable. While some schools prefer to push for an on-campus commitment in June and try to keep their class together, others are content to play the long game. The only thing that really matters is getting a signature in December.

More: St. Augustine receiver Carl Jenkins Jr. analyzes the top 4 schools and commits on June 29

From state champion to national champion: Cocoa 4-star quarterback Brady Hart moves to Michigan for 2026

5-star quarterback Dia Bell from American Heritage 2026 stays at Texas

Here's where Florida's four Power 4 programs stand so far this month.

Florida

This time a year ago, Florida was riding a wave of June commitments to have one of the most coveted classes in the country. The Gators have 10 commitments in June 2023. That list includes five-star defensive lineman Amaris Williams of North Carolina and several four-star recruits such as defensive lineman Nasir Johnson of Georgia, linebacker Aaron Chiles of Alabama, tight end Amir Jackson of Georgia, edge rusher Jamonta Waller of Mississippi and slot receiver Tank Williams of IMG.

Unfortunately, this year's class hasn't made it to the finish line unscathed for the Gators. Four of the Gators' June signings – including Williams, Johnson and Waller – have withdrawn their commitments and signed elsewhere. Has this experience changed the way Florida's coaching staff approaches this cycle?

“I know what they've been doing for the last three weeks,” said Gainesville Sun reporter Kevin Brockway. “They've been renting out Spurrier's (Gridiron Grille) every week. I don't think it's for lack of effort. July might be a better month. But look at what happened last year, a lot of commitments from that month. But if you look at December, half of it was gone. It's kind of hit and miss.”

Some players may take a wait-and-see approach at Florida, as coach Billy Napier appears to be on the hot seat early in the season.

“Billy Napier's job security could be a reason why some of these recruits are uncertain,” Brockway said. “Florida's NIL support is not as strong as it should be. It's getting better, but is it as good as Tennessee or LSU or some of the other SEC programs? No. Not yet.”

State of Florida

A quiet June shouldn't be a cause for concern for Seminoles fans. In fact, they should be used to it by now.

Florida State had no commitments in June 2023, but July was a busy month. Eight players – or more than a third of the class's high school freshmen – committed to the Seminoles last July. They include four-star cornerback Charles Lester III of Venice, four-star offensive lineman Manasse Itete of California and four-star running back Micahi Danzy of Florida High.

Given the small class Florida State has assembled so far, it's clear the Seminoles aren't settling for players who may not be able to play for them.

More: FSU football makes 4-star DB Ladarian “Squirrel” Clardy a top priority during official visit

The four players they signed are five-star offensive lineman Solomon Thomas of Raines (No. 2 in the USA Today Florida Network Top 100), four-star edge rusher Javion Hilson of Cocoa (No. 4), three-star linebacker Ethan Pritchard of Seminole (No. 57) and three-star quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. (No. 60) of Mandarin.

Miami

This is basically the normal course for the Hurricanes' summer recruiting under Mario Cristobal. There were a handful of commitments in early to mid-June, but the biggest success came in the last days of June and early July.

Last year, Nevada four-star tight end Elija Lofton committed on June 15. Three-star defensive backs Ryan Mack and Romanas Frederique of St. Thomas Aquinas both committed in the final days of June. Four others, including Illinois four-star edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot and Chaminade-Madonna wide receiver Joshisa Trader, committed in July.

In 2022, Cristobal's first full recruiting cycle in Miami, he had five June commitments – most at the end of the month – and five July commitments.

In addition to the four new signings, the signing of four-star quarterback from Georgia, Luke Nickel, is also a big plus for the Hurricanes. Nickel is the only quarterback in Miami's class of 2025 and paid an official visit to Miami on the first weekend in June. No further visits are planned.

UCF

The hiring of Gus Malzahn before the 2021 season and the move to the Big 12 last year significantly increased the Knights' standing among new recruits, and Malzahn and his team are set up to play for the long haul.

“What's interesting is that a lot of teams want to be satisfied right away when they visit. There's not a high-pressure environment at some schools,” said Chris Boyle, UCF reporter for the USA Today Florida Network. “UCF has shown what they can do in recruiting under Gus Malzahn. I don't think they feel threatened by giving the kids the full amount of time to complete the process.”

Last year, three-star running back Stacy Gage of St. Thomas Aquinas committed to UCF in mid-June and three-star safety Jashad Presley of Dr. Phillips committed two weeks later.

More: UCF players share their excitement and high expectations for EA Sports College Football 25

When the calendar turned to July, things quickly picked up. Seven players joined the Knights last July, including Georgia four-star receiver Kylan Fox, Georgia four-star offensive lineman Waltclaire Flynn Jr. and Georgia four-star linebacker Qua Birdsong. Something similar could happen this cycle.

“UCF expects to reap the rewards in July,” Boyle said. “They started in June, starting with Bounce House Weekend. They expect it to be similar to last year. They're trying to get the majority of their classes completed by the end of the summer. They believe most of their goals will come together in the next five weeks.”

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Florida's Power 4 schools are cautious about signing football players

Florida

State of Florida

Miami

UCF

Anna Harden

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Florida

State of Florida

Miami

UCF

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