Sources - Florida gets commitment from 5-star DE JaReylan McCoy - ESPN

Five-star defensive end JaReylan McCoy has committed to Florida, sources told ESPN on Saturday, securing his place as the top-ranked pledge in the Gators' 2026 recruiting class after returning for a second visit in the span of three weeks.

McCoy, a 6-foot-7, 260-pound rusher from Tupelo, Mississippi, is ESPN's No. 9 overall prospect and the nation's second-ranked defender in the current cycle.

Initially committed to LSU, McCoy reopened his recruitment in February and trimmed his finalists to Florida, LSU and Texas last month before his process swung on an official visit with the Gators from May 30-June 1. Per ESPN sources, McCoy's connection with Florida coach Billy Napier and defensive ends coach Mike Peterson, along with the program's «family atmosphere,» were central drivers in McCoy's decision to nix a scheduled official visit to Texas and instead return to Florida this weekend, where he sealed his pledge on Saturday.

McCoy has recorded 140-plus tackles and 18.5 sacks in three varsity seasons at Tupelo High School, and his commitment represents a major recruiting victory for Napier and Florida.

McCoy's signature would mark Gators' first five-star addition since Florida landed quarterback D.J. Lagway (No. 8 overall) and pass rusher L.J. McCray (No. 10) in the 2024 class. If he ultimately lands with Florida later this year, McCoy will arrive as the program's highest-ranked defensive signee since Florida inked five-star defensive end CeCe Jefferson in the 2015 class.

McCoy now stands ahead of four-star quarterback Will Griffin (No. 69 overall) and Friday night running back commit Carsyn Baker (No. 167) as the top-ranked of five ESPN 300 prospects in the Gators' 2026 class. Florida also landed the pledge of four-star