5-star Easton Royal keeps strongly hinting Lane Kiffin could flip him from Texas

The Florida Gators have been a live dog for five-star wide receiver Easton Royal, and for a time after his official visit, it felt like Jon Sumrall was in a position to benefit from a historic flip.

Time has passed, and we're about four weeks removed from Royal's time in Gainesville, so the picture is getting a little clearer about where he seems to be leaning if a move is going to be made. Unfortunately, for Sumrall and the Gators, all signs seem to point to Royal as a more likely flip destination. And, as Royal tends to do, he threw some not-so-subtle hints on his social media. 

It's a picture of Kiffin holding a trophy. Not sure which trophy that is. It's definitely not a national championship trophy since he's never won one of those. But this is Royal's thing. I think he likes to get people talking, and he has a little fun with everything. With that being said, there's no question that LSU is going to go especially hard for Royal because the blue-chip playmaker is not only an exceptional talent, but he's a New Orleans recruit and the pull to stay home, especially for top Louisiana kids, is very strong. 

READ MORE: 5-star WR Easton Royal has Florida fans on the edge of their seats with new social media post

Easton Royal hints at choosing LSU over Florida in recent social media post

The recruitment of Royal has taken a lot of twists and turns over the past several months. Royal was a pretty strong Gator lean at one point last season, but when Billy Napier got fired, that pursuit was put on hold. Things picked back up when Sumrall was hired, and it was a natural relationship between the two since the new Gators coach had checked in on Royal from time to time while he was right down the road at Tulane.

"He's been in Louisiana a long time, so he's adapted to it…he knows a little bit about where Louisiana guys come from. I know he's a winner," Royal said about Sumrall few weeks ago.

READ MORE: Easton Royal makes a big decision that has Jon Sumrall and Florida ready to take action

Florida's 2027 recruiting class has some strong playmakers

Whether the Gators hit or miss on Royal's recruitment, it isn't a lost cause because Sumrall has some dudes that can do exciting things with the ball in their hands. Four-star wide receiver Elias Pearl is a legitimate top-10 prospect in Florida and Anthony Jennings, another in-state prospect, has the kind of shiftiness and quickness out of the slot to become a big-play machine.

Obviously, any class is better with a player like Royal in it and that isn't to say Florida is out of the picture, because things can change in recruiting with the snap of a finger. Sumrall, however, has given the Gators their best shot to get Royal into the fold and if it happens, that would be amazing. However, if it doesn't matter, that just means he'll have to deal with losing in the Swamp. 

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