Grill in the Ville – Syndication Server

Four-star DL looking at Florida closely after multi-day visit

Florida is one of several programs catching the attention of four-star defensive lineman Kendall Guervil, who was on campus last weekend.

Fort Myers defensive lineman [autotag]Kendall Guervil[/autotag] is no stranger to the Swamp.

The in-state, four-star recruit has been a frequent visitor to the University of Florida since his freshman year, but his latest trip to Gainesville comes at an important moment on the recruiting calendar.

The Grill in the Ville cookout marks the end of the summer recruiting period and everyone officially moves up a grade. Most of the class of 2025 is deep into their recruitment, but it’s the beginning for most of the 2026 class.

Guervil spent the day before the cookout in Gainesville, according to Swamp247 and Gators Online. He got to spend time with the team in the gym on Friday and got to know the coaches better with his family on Saturday.

“Friday was really a great time, seeing the guys max out, lifting those weights,” Guervil said. “Seeing I could be a part of that environment. I love being in the weight room maxing out.”

Multi-day visits don’t always mean an increased interest in a program for a recruit, but Guervil left town with the Gators in favor.

“I’d say that they are top three right now, unofficially,” he said. “Just the culture over there, how they treat me. I feel like I’m home every time I come up there.”

He’s unlikely to narrow things down to an official list until the end of his junior season. Florida’s play over the coming fall should play a factor, but it’s hard to see the longtime recruit leaving the Orange and Blue outside of a top-five or six.

Recruiting Summary

Guervil has earned a four-star rating everywhere but On3, where he is a three-star talent still ranked inside the national top 250.

The On3 industry rankings have him at No. 172 overall and No. 17 among defensive linemen in the class of 2026, however. The 247Sports composite is slightly less bullish on him at Nos. 203 and 20 respectively.

The On3 recruiting prediction machine gives Florida 71.1% odds to land Guervil, with Miami (16.7%) in a distant second place. South Florida (1.3%) and UCF (1.1%) round out the top four.

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Florida ‘in the mix’ for this 2026 four-star defensive back

One of the juniors in town for Florida’s Grille in the ‘Ville cookout this weekend was four-star defensive back J’Zavien Currence.

The end-of-summer Grill in the Ville cookout is an unofficial turning point on the recruiting calendar where the focus begins to shift away from the senior class (2025) and more toward the juniors (2026).

One of the juniors in Gainesville for the event was South Pointe (Rock Hill, South Carolina) defensive back [autotag]J’Zavien Currence[/autotag], who also attended last year’s cookout as a rising sophomore, according to Swamp247. Now one of the top safeties in his class, Currence is starting to take a serious look at which schools are standing out.

“Florida has put themselves in the mix with the way they have been recruiting me this summer,” Currence said to 247Sports. “I hear from Florida every other day now. I don’t question where I stand with them. I grew up a Gator fan so that plays a part in what I like about Florida. Each time I come, I get a good vibe and knowing I’m a priority recruit for them is big.”

That’s a fine endorsement for Florida from Currence, but the Gators are going to need to beat out several power-conference programs, including in-state rival FSU.

The Gators have already overcome the coaching change at his position with this recent visit. Currence got to meet with Florida’s new defensive backs coach Will Harris and assistant coach Beyah Rasool in person this weekend.

Recruiting Summary

Currence is a consensus four-star recruit, ranked the highest by ESPN at No. 85 overall in 2026. The On3 industry ranking puts him at No. 97 overall nationally and No. 10 at his position, while the 247Sports composite has him even higher at Nos. 80 and 7, respectively.

The On3 recruiting prediction machine thinks in-state South Carolina has the best odds to land Currence at 23.9%, but Florida is closing in at 18%. Georgia (7.8%) and Virginia Tech (6.5%) round out the list; however, Currence mentioned Clemson and FSU recently when asked about teams pushing the hardest.

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Can Florida make a late push for this 5-star OT?

With Joe Hamilton back in the fold, could Florida make a late push for one of the nation’s top offensive tackle recruits?

Florida Director of Scouting and Recruiting Relations [autotag]Joe Hamilton[/autotag] returned to the program last week after a stint at Texas A&M, and the Gators are seeing an immediate impact on the recruiting trail.

Five-star Lewisville, Texas offensive tackle [autotag]Michael Fasusi[/autotag] made a surprise trip to Florida over the weekend for the team’s Grill in the ‘Ville event, according to Swamp247, and Hamilton might have the Orange and Blue back in the race.

“It was fun being back there man,” Fasusi said to247Sports. “The same people. Seeing Decoster, seeing Sale and saying what’s up. … Getting these relationships. Me, coach Sale, and coach Decoster, we been building a relationship. It’s been getting better ever since.”

Fasusi left Florida out his top five in favor of Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Texas A&M. That list came out in July when he set a commitment date of August 21.

For now, it appears that Fasusi will stay true to the timeline he set, but he’ll be watching the Gators during the season with an open mind. Florida dropped off its communication with him when Hamilton went to A&M, but that’s changed with his return.

“They’re (Florida) still going to be up there,” he said. “I’m still going to end up committing of course. I think it’s going to have to come down to the season. We’re going to see what they’re looking like.”Recruiting Summary

Fasusi is a five-star recruit, according to three of the four major recruiting services (247Sports, ESPN and Rivals). On3’s standalone rankings list him as a four-star talent ranked just outside of the top 30.

The 247Sports composite and On3 industry rankings both grant him five-star status and rank him No. 12 overall in the class of 2025. He is also ranked the third-best offensive tackle and fifth-best Texas-based recruit in the class.

All three crystal balls submitted to 247Sports for Fasusi are in favor of the Texas Longhorns and have been in place since the spring. The Longhorns also lead the On3 recruiting prediction machine with 63.2% odds to land Fasusi. Texas A&M (28.5%) is the other horse in this race, followed by Oklahoma (3.4%) and Missouri (1.3%).

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Gators one of two teams standing out for 4-star WR target

Following another visit to Florida, four-star wide receiver Naeshaun Montgomery says the Gators are pushing the hardest for him.

After narrowing things down to a top six, Miami Central wide receiver [autotag]Naeshaun Montgomery[/autotag] is noticing which teams are amping up the pressure.

Following a visit to the University of Florida for the Grill in the ‘Ville cookout, Montgomery said the Gators and LSU Tigers are standing out the most, according to Gators Online. Alabama, Florida State, Oregon and Penn State round Montgomery’s top six.

“They’re all pushing hard but I feel like Florida is really pushing it,” Montgomery said. “Like they turned it up a notch after I dropped the top six.”

Despite some rain, Montgomery said this weekend’s visit was a positive one. He was impressed with DJ Lagway’s arm while observing OTAs and noticed the increased attention he’s received since picking up an offer.

Montgomery said that it feels like the coaching staff and players are all trying to get him to be a Gator, and he even heard from a few commits in his own class.

With his commitment date closer than a month away, Montgomery being this high on Florida can only be a good thing for the Gators.

Recruiting Summary

Montgomery is ranked No. 181 overall and No. 18 at his position according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 246 and 34, respectively.

He holds four-star status at ESPN and Rivals but not 247Sports or On3. However, both major composite rankings grant him that all-important fourth star.

Florida holds both crystal ball predictions from 247Sports following a flip from National Recruiting Analyst Tom Loy, who previously favored the Penn State Nittany Lions.

The Gators have an overwhelming lead in On3’s recruiting prediction machine, which gives them an 93.4% chance, followed by the LSU Tigers (1.8%) and Penn State (1.3%).

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Florida making strong, early push for this in-state class of 2026 OL

Florida’s offensive line coaches are getting some early recruiting work in with Lakewood’s Chancellor Campbell and it’s paying off.

Lakewood High (St. Petersburg, Florida) offensive lineman [autotag]Chancellor Cambell[/autotag] is one of the rising juniors Florida’s recruiting team has focused on heavily this summer, and those efforts are paying, according to Swamp247.

Campbell visited The Swamp twice in March and then secured an offer in May to open the summer. Since then, the Gators have only further cemented themselves as the top team on his list.

He was in Gainesville most recently in June and will be back this weekend for the Grill in the ‘Ville event to close out the summer recruiting period. A return trip at the beginning of fall camp could also happen — frequent visits are one of the positives of recruiting in-state talent.

Kentucky, South Carolina, Syracuse, Toledo and UCF are the other teams that offered the 6-foot-8-inch, 285-pounder.

“Things have been going very well between me and the (Florida) coaches,” Campbell said. “I really appreciate how they teach and communicate with the offensive line. They seem to really know what they are talking about and are great coaches.”

Offensive line coaches [autotag]Rob Sale[/autotag] and [autotag]John Decoster[/autotag] have been Campbell’s main contacts at Florida. Although development seems to be a major recruiting point for Campbell, he’s also focused on receiving a good education.

Recruiting Summary

Cambell is unranked everywhere right now, but he might be one of the big risers in the next major updates from 247Sports and On3.

Florida is dominating the On3 recruiting prediction machine projections with 89.9% odds of landing Campbell, followed by UCF (2.5%), South Carolina (2.2%) and Kentucky (1.8%).

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Blue-chip 2025 WR eyes Grill in the Ville visit date with Florida

The Gators may have added another top name to its RSVP list for the Grill in the Ville event next Saturday.

Florida football’s annual Grill in the Ville event is a little over a week away and the list of top prep prospects planning on attending the festivities continues to grow.

Among those who are eyeing a stop in the Swamp on Saturday, July 27, is four-star wide receiver Naeshaun Montgomery out of Miami (Florida) Central in the 2025 recruiting cycle. The 6-foot-1-inch, 165-pound in-state pass-catcher recently revealed that he will be taking a bit more time before making his verbal commitment but appears to still be bullish on the Orange and Blue.

“I really want to get back and chill with the coaches and the players again,” Montgomery told Swamp247. “Just get back and build more of a bond with those players and coaches, so that if I do end up going to Florida, the bonds are already there, and strong.”

Montgomery’s feelings about Florida

“Everything’s been really good with them,” Montgomery offered previously. “I talk to DJ Lagway here and there. That’s my biggest thing because that would be my quarterback if I did go to Florida.

“I definitely have to be in touch with him. Me and the coaches talk all the time, so I don’t really have to worry about that.”

Recruiting Summary

Montgomery is ranked No. 183 overall and No. 19 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 244 and 36, respectively.

Florida and the Penn State Nittany Lions both hold a crystal ball prediction from 247Sports with the latter favored by 75% against the former’s 25% chance of signing him.

The Gators have an overwhelming lead in On3’s RPM, which gives them an 87.3% chance, followed by the Miami Hurricanes (3.5%), Penn State (2.5%) and the LSU Tigers (1.7%).

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Florida OL commit happy with decision after recent visit to UF

It’s always nice to get on campus again after you’ve committed. Florida offensive line commit Fletcher Westphal did exactly that this weekend, and enjoyed himself.

One of the Florida commits that was in town for Saturday’s Grill in the Ville cookout was offensive lineman [autotag]Fletcher Westphal[/autotag], who announced his decision earlier this month.

This was Westphal’s first trip back to the Swamp after making his college decision, and Gator Country reported that he left town knowing that he made a good choice in Florida. He spent most of the visit meeting his future teammates, including quarterback DJ Lagway, who Westphal will one day be blocking for.

“It was great, it was fun,” Westphal said. “That was the whole point of this visit was to get acquainted with all of the commits and I did that… It was definitely great, I definitely think I made the right decision.”

Now that Westphal is somewhat acquainted with his future teammates and coaches, he only has a senior year to focus on. Westphal is shutting down his recruitment and is locked in with Florida. The plan is to make two visits to UF during the season.

Westphal is a four-star recruit everywhere but Rivals.com, where he is a three-star talent. The on3 industry ranking, which uses a weighted average of all four major recruiting services, places Westphal at No. 249 overall and No. 19 among offensive tackles in the class of 2025.

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Old Line State OT commit plans to stop for Grill in the Ville this weekend

There will be no shortage of visitors on campus Saturday, including this OT commit out of Maryland.

Florida football’s first edition of its midsummer Grill in the Ville event is finally here as the program hosts a plethora of prep prospects from a range of recruiting classes into the Swamp in an effort to build a closer relationship with Billy Napier and the Gators’ staff.

Among the visitors from the 2024 class, which consists mostly of current commits, is three-star offensive tackle [autotag]Mike Williams[/autotag] out of Baltimore (Maryland) Charles Herbert Flowers. The 6-foot-5-inch, 210-pound lineman made his first Gainesville visit back in June, after which he verbally committed to the Orange and Blue.

“Why not Florida? My parents live in Orlando so that’s not far,” he offered to Swamp247 after committing. “I live with my godmother back home in Maryland; parents live in Orlando, and the two offensive line coaches got me.

“Not a lot of coaches do that. Coach Stapleton, Coach Sale, Coach Sale has a great background, and Coach Stapleton has a great background coming from the Steelers. Coach Napier has a beautiful, well-rounded background coaching at Louisiana. So like I said, why not Florida.”

Since then, Williams has shut down his recruitment, going all in on the Gators.

Williams is ranked No. 1,416 overall and No. 110 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 1,342 and 98, respectively.

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Grill in the Ville to include this 2024 OT commit out of Germany

From Germany to Gainesville, this offensive lineman commit will be on campus on Saturday for Grill in the Ville.

While the blue-chip recruits have dominated the headlines, there will also be a handful of three-stars on hand as well, such as offensive tackle commit [autotag]Noel Portnjagin[/autotag] out of Schwäbisch Hall (Germany) in the 2024 class.

The 6-foot-5-inch, 315-pound lineman received an offer from Napier and Co. back on June 5 following a visit to a training camp held in Gainesville. Portnjagin then verbally committed to the Orange and Blue on June 14.

The Auburn Tigers, South Carolina Gamecocks and Liberty Flames all offered scholarships as well, but the Gators prevailed in bringing the Deutschlander to north Florida.

The high school senior scheduled an official visit with Florida — the only OV he has set — for the weekend of Dec. 8, wrapping up just 10 days ahead of the early signing period.

Portnjagin is ranked No. 966 overall and No. 69 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 1,014 and 70, respectively.

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Big-time 2025 4-star DL will be at Grill in the Ville on Saturday

Saturday is the big day for Florida football recruiting! This blue-chip d-liner will be on hand for the feast in the Swamp.

Recruits from the 2024, 2025 and 2026 classes will be in attendance, with the middle one chock full of blue-chip talent. Among the high school juniors making the trek to Gainesville on Saturday is four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Jalen Wiggins[/autotag] out of Tallahassee (Florida) Rickards.

The 6-foot-5-inch, 235-pound trench warrior last stopped in Hogtown for a 7-on-7 event back in June, which gave him some time to further acclimate himself with the coaches and campus.

“It was great coming back,” Wiggins told Swamp247. “I got another tour of everything around here, and it’s good to see how the school is, how the players are developing and everything. I got to meet most of the players today, which was a good plus.”

Wiggins is ranked No. 88 overall and No. 6 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 78 and 7, respectively. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has Florida in front with a 59.0% chance of landing him, followed by the Florida A&M Rattlers (13.8%) and Central Florida Knights (11.9%).

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