The next stage of the college football recruiting cycle is about to shift into high gear with official visits.
While a handful of schools had rising high school seniors on campus for official visits in early May, the majority of college programs — including all four of Florida’s Power 4 programs — will be hosting players over the next three-plus weeks.
The top three players, and five of the top 10 players, on the USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 have committed. The top uncommitted players are IMG wide receiver Eric McFarland (No. 4), Jesuit linebacker Kaden Henderson (No. 6) and IMG wide receiver Osani Gayles (No. 7).
The next few weeks will be crucial times for Florida, Florida State, Miami and UCF as they hope to shore up their 2027 classes heading into the fall.
Miami and Florida’s 2027 classes are ranked No. 4 and 5, respectively, on the 247Sports composite. Florida State is No. 40 and UCF is No. 61.
Here’s a look at three key in-state recruits that each Power 4 program in Florida is currently scheduled to have on campus over the next few weeks:
Florida
Port Charlotte WR Elias Pearl
USA TODAY Florida Network pre-spring rank: 32
Pearl, who committed to Florida on May 19, arguably is the fastest rising recruit in the state over the past six months. A breakout performance in the Rivals Elite camp in Fort Lauderdale in February launched his recruiting into another stratosphere. While he is committed to the Gators, he also has official visits lined up to Georgia and Ole Miss — both 2025 College Football Playoff teams — in June. That means his official visit to Gainesville during the final weekend in May will be a big one for the new Gators coaching staff.
Jones EDGE Fred Ards III
USA TODAY Florida Network pre-spring rank: 26
Edge rusher is one of the few positions Florida hasn’t yet addressed in this class. The Gators have three defensive line commits in the 2027 class, but none of them project to be edge rushers. Florida currently has just four edge rushers currently scheduled for official visits. Ards’ June visit to Florida is one of five the 6-foot-4½, 220-pounder has planned. He already visited South Carolina, and also has visits to Alabama, Texas A&M and Florida State upcoming.
North Miami Beach S Andre Hyppolite
USA TODAY Florida Network pre-spring rank: 36
Florida has only one safety in its 2027 class — Oklahoma three-star Kaibib Dillard. Two Florida standouts at the position will be on campus during the first weekend in June: West Boca’s Loia Valade and Hyppolite. A commitment from either would immediately make them the highest-ranked safety in Florida’s class. The 6-1, 180-pound Hyppolite also has official visits scheduled for Minnesota, Miami and Georgia.
Florida State
Lennard S Mekhi Williams
USA TODAY Florida Network pre-spring rank: 31
Williams has been committed to Florida State for more than a year and must remain a priority for the Seminoles coaching staff. The 6-2½, 160-pounder is an absolute difference maker in the secondary, and a player that Florida State simply can’t afford to lose. There isn’t really another player with Williams’ size and ability just sitting around waiting for an offer. Williams is scheduled to visit Tallahassee on June 5. He also has official visits scheduled for Wisconsin, Nebraska and LSU.
Atlantic Coast EDGE Desmond Malpress
USA TODAY Florida Network pre-spring rank: 28
The 6-3, 205-pound Malpress is an exciting edge prospect with a lot of natural ability. He’s also one of the top in-state prospects currently scheduled to visit Florida State over the next few weeks. Malpress has several official visits scheduled, including Georgia Tech, Syracuse and Clemson. He already took a visit to South Carolina. Florida State does have his final official visit, which some could view as a plus.
Lakeland DL/EDGE Santana Harvey
USA TODAY Florida Network pre-spring rank: 33
Harvey, the son of former Florida star edge rusher and NFL first round draft pick Derrick Harvey, has the size and frame to play multiple spots along the defensive line. The 6-3½, 230-pounder is one of Florida State’s top-rated in-state targets. Harvey also has official visits scheduled to Clemson, Georgia Tech and Notre Dame. He’s slated to be in Tallahassee during the first weekend in June.
Miami
Carol City WR Nick Lennear
USA TODAY Florida Network pre-spring rank: 3
Lennear is the highest-ranked Florida commit and a player the Hurricanes desperately want to keep at home. The 5-11½, 165-pound Lennear is a five-star recruit with the playmaking ability and attitude that every program in the nation covets. He’s visiting Miami during the final weekend in May and it’s his only official visit scheduled. Still, leaving a strong impression to ensure his commitment can only be a good thing for the Hurricanes.
Jesuit LB Kaden Henderson
USA TODAY Florida Network pre-spring rank: 6
Henderson is the top-rated linebacker in the state and one of the premier linebackers in the nation. The 6-1½, 218-pounder is a fast, physical and versatile player who can be a real chess piece for a defensive coordinator. Miami, which has just one linebacker commit in the 2027 class — North Carolina four-star Aronson Randle Jr., will have Henderson on campus during the last weekend in May. He also has visits scheduled to Texas A&M, Ohio State and Notre Dame.
Coral Gables DL Stive-Bentley Keumajou Yondui
USA TODAY Florida Network pre-spring rank: 21
Yondui, a Florida Gators commit, is one of the most intriguing players in the 2027 class. The 6-2½, 295-pound lineman has been in the United States (from England) for less than 12 months, but has showcased a unique athletic ability to go along with size and power. Considering Miami’s identity in the trenches, they would love to flip a player from their own backyard. In addition to Miami and Florida, Yondui also is visiting Auburn and Georgia.
UCF
Dunnellon DL Kaiden Robinson-Vickers
USA TODAY Florida Network pre-spring rank: 37
Robinson-Vickers is one of the state’s premier big men and would be something of a steal if UCF can land him. He would be the Knights’ highest ranked high school commit along the defensive line since John Walker in the 2023 class. It might not be easy, though. Vickers, who also has a visit set up for NC State, has more than 15 Power 4 offers, including Miami and Mississippi State.
Lake Wales ATH Kaneilius Purdy
USA TODAY Florida Network pre-spring rank: 30
The 6-0, 190-pound Purdy, a former Florida State commit and Lake Wales all-time receiving yards record holder, is a dynamic playmaker. Adding him to a wide receiver group that already includes rising sophomore Waden Charles and incoming freshman Tyren Hornes could give the Knights a very potent offense. Despite having more than 30 offers, UCF currently is Purdy’s lone official visit.
Cardinal Mooney RB Connail Jackson
USA TODAY Florida Network pre-spring rank: 69
Jackson, who committed to UCF on May 2, is the highest ranked commit in the Knights class. The 5-10, 180-pound Jackson was the MVP of the 2025 Class 2A state championship game and was a MaxPreps Junior All-American. He’s scheduled to visit Jackson during the final weekend in May, which is the only official visit he currently has on the books. But with Auburn, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina and Virginia Tech among the schools to offer Jackson, a strong impression by UCF could go a long way.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Key football recruits visiting Florida’s four Power 4 programs
Reporting by Jon Santucci, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
