Top 3 commitments Billy Napier secured for Florida Gators' class of 2026 ft. Will Griffin

By Aman Sharma

Modified Aug 16, 2024 12:23 GMT

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Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier has already made significant strides in securing a strong recruiting class of 2026. The Gators, currently ranked 10th nationally for their 2026 recruiting class by ESPN, are laying the groundwork for a promising future. Here’s a closer look at three of the most highly anticipated commitments that signal a bright future for Florida football.

Top 3 commitments Florida Gators secured for the class of 2026:

#3. Jaelen Waters

Jaelen Waters is a four-star cornerback from Seffner, FL. Waters is ranked as the 12th-best cornerback in the nation and holds the No. 153 spot overall in the On3 Industry Rankings. His sophomore year stats include 20 tackles, six pass deflections and one forced fumble

Waters has developed a strong bond with Gators secondary coach Will Harris.

“We get on the phone with him almost every other day,” Waters shared. “Talk about football and stuff. He comes around my school during that time period when you can visit schools — him and Coach (Austin) Armstrong too. He always worries about me. He loves me in the 2026 class. So I’m very appreciative of that.”

#2. Devin Jackson

Another critical addition to the Florida Gators' 2026 class is Devin Jackson, a four-star safety who committed to Florida in August 2024. Jackson is ranked as the 25th-best safety nationally and is among the top 75 recruits in Florida.

Jackson’s recruitment saw him turning down offers from Georgia, LSU and Texas A&M. His relationship with the Florida coaching staff, combined with the welcoming environment on campus, played a crucial role in his decision.

“They show a lot of love when I come up there,” Jackson told Gators Online. “I’m up there a lot of times, so I know the facilities too. It feels like home all around.”

#1. Will Griffin

One of the standout recruits is Will Griffin, a four-star quarterback who committed to the Florida Gators in June. Ranked No. 89 overall in the 2026 class, Griffin's decision to commit to Florida was strongly influenced by Coach Napier and quarterbacks coach Ryan O’Hara.

“Florida has a beautiful campus,” Griffin remarked in an interview with On3. “It’s a wonderful place to live. You’re part of a great program that Coach Napier has developed. Coach Napier is putting together a great team and I feel like this year is going to be their year.”

He expressed confidence in their ability to develop him into an elite quarterback, prepared for the next level. Being close to home also played an important role in his decision:

“A big thing for me is family,” Griffin said. “I love seeing my family whenever I can. Florida is one of the closest schools to my home, a two and a half hour drive. Family is just a big thing for me in general."

In his first year of high school, he completed 106 of 187 touchdown passes, which got him 1,653 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Besides the spectacular passing game, Griffin also made a splash as a dual-threat player, as he carried the ball 31 times for 124 yards and even finished with two touchdowns.