Florida's big day starts off with a commitment from in-state safety Cyion Smith

The Florida Gators are about to take the field against No. 4 Ole Miss for the biggest game at The Swamp in recent memory, and the good news for Jon Sumrall started early.

In-state safety Cyion Smith, one of Florida's top targets in the 2028 class, committed prior to the game to give the Gators their second pledge in the class, joining four-wide receiver Armani Strong. Florida has been trending for Smith for several months and recently received several predictions.

Cyion Smith shuts down his recruitment and commits to Florida

Smith is listed at 6-foot-3, 170 pounds. He plays on both sides of the ball at Blountstown, but it's nearly a guarantee that he'll be on the defensive side of the ball in Gainesville. The 247Sports Composite has Smith rated as the 345th best overall prospect in his class and 29th best safety. He has some pretty nice offers with Tennessee, Ole Miss, Auburn, Michigan, Mississippi State, Miami, South Carolina and many others.

But Florida was always the team to beat for Smith. Sumrall and the coaching staff never hid their desire to land Smith in this class and the player reciprocated the interest. He has been to Gainesville for all three Gator home games this season.

Smith is a tall, long athlete that will need to pack some muscle on his frame, but there's plenty of time to do that since he's a 2028 recruit. His seven interceptions as a sophomore show that he does possess some ball skills. Overall coverage, however, is a bit of an issue that will need to be fixed, as was written by Ben Henderson in an earlier evaluation:

"His coverage skills are still a work in progress, and one has to remember the film he put out is from a high school sophomore, but the fact that he is as physical as he is does make him an intriguing prospect for this class."

Florida loads up the visitors for Ole Miss weekend

Sumrall wants some of the best recruits to see what the Swamp is like when the games really matter and this might be his last best chance to put a bug in Easton Royal's ear. The Texas commit took an official visit to Gainesville over the summer, But since then, Florida has faded as LSU became the team to watch for a potential flip.

The top receiver in the 2028 class, Brysen Wright, is also on campus for the game. Wright is a huge target for Florida and a chance to re-establish the Jacksonville area as a pipeline for the program. Another Jacksonville prospect in the 2028 class, 4-star offensive lineman Omari Lawson, is another potential flip candidate on campus. Lawson, a top-20 offensive tackle in the class, is currently committed to Syracuse. 

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