The season might be over for Florida football but the efforts on the recruiting front never slow these days.
One of the Gators’ top targets in the 2026 cycle is four-star wide receiver [autotag]Naeem Burroughs[/autotag] out of Jacksonville (Florida) Bolles, who is still whittling down his options ahead of his high school senior season. The Orange and Blue appear to be among his top targets so far.
As of the new year, the 5-foot-11-inch, 160-pound pass-catcher is down to six schools, which in addition to Florida also includes the Clemson Tigers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Texas Longhorns, Wisconsin Badgers and Florida State Seminoles. However, those names are not written in stone as of yet, but the Gators seem to have the inside edge.
“I would say Florida (is in front), because they were my first offer, and they’ve always been there consistently,” Burroughs told Swamp247. “Coach (Billy) Gonzales is a great coach, Coach (Billy) Napier has never stopped showing love. He’s continued showing love.”
The good vibes surrounding the program do not stop there.
“I feel like they have a great energy. It’s hard to be down around them. They come around and pick up the energy, so they pick you up whenever you come around them.”
As for what Burroughs is looking for in his final destination, it is all about the passing game and the coaching staff.
“Scheme of offense,” he notes. “I don’t really want to go to a run-heavy school. Energy from coaches. A lot of coaches, you can be real close with the receiver coach, but the head coach doesn’t really want you there, or show he wants you there. So that means a lot.
“Making sure the head coach is invested in not just me, but also my parents. Trying to get to know me and my family as a whole, and not just me as a football player. Coaches that want me to come there and be a better man.”
Recruiting Summary
Burroughs is ranked No. 59 overall and No. 10 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 61 and 9, respectively.
On3’s recruiting predictions have Florida out front with a 38.6% chance of signing him, followed by FSU (20.5%) and Wisconsin (17.6%).
247Sports’ Andrew Ivins also provided the following extended scouting report:
“Also runs track. Member of a 4×100 team that captured a gold medal at FHSAA 2A meet freshman season. Also qualified for regionals in the 100-meter dash after posting a personal-best 11.08 (1.1) at districts. Owns a 6-0.75 effort in the high jump, as well.”
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