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Florida's next big recruiting win could come from 2029 5-star James Allen

The Gators are reportedly an early favorite for the Tampa-area prospect.
ByMorgan Moriarty
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Oct 10, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall runs on the field with Florida Gators safety Alfonzo Allen Jr. (43) and Florida Gators inside linebacker Malik Morris (50) before a game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Oct 10, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall runs on the field with Florida Gators safety Alfonzo Allen Jr. (43) and Florida Gators inside linebacker Malik Morris (50) before a game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jon Sumrall has started to fill out both Florida's 2027 and 2028 recruiting classes. The Gators' 2029 class does not have any verbal commits just yet, but a No. 1 target for the class appears to be emerging. 

Florida is reportedly a "strong contender" for 2029's No. 3 overall prospect in cornerback James Allen.

Gators are making early impression on in-state CB James Allen

According to Rivals' director of scouting Chad Simmons, Florida has hosted him twice this season, and the defensive back says there is a "completely" different energy" brewing in Gainesville: 

The Carrollwood Day School product out of Tampa, Fla. is rated by 247Sports as the No. 1 overall cornerback in his class, and checks in No. 2 overall from the Sunshine State. Allen was also seen at practice in late October rocking some Florida gear: 

While it's obviously quite early in the recruiting cycle for the 2029 class, Florida has clearly made an early impression on Allen. He also holds big-time offers from the likes of Alabama, Colorado, Duke, Georgia, Indiana, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon and Texas, among several others. Outside of his offer from Sumrall and the Gators, he also has in-state offers from Miami, Florida State, UCF and South Florida. 

Jon Sumrall's fiery defense of Vernell Brown III comes with a more cautious injury outlook

He has made several unofficial visits in recent weeks, including to Florida on Sept. 26 and Georgia on Oct. 3. He has also taken unofficial visits to Miami and Auburn during the month of October. He has started to turn heads of other recruiting coaching staffs across the country, as well. In recent weeks his offers from Michigan and Tennessee have come his way.

According to three seasons tracked by MaxPreps, Allen has accounted for 77 total tackles with nine interceptions as well as three fumble recoveries. 

He runs track for Carrollwood, as well. Impressively, he was a state qualifier in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes as a freshman, per his 247Sports bio.

Winning the state of Florida is going to be one Sumrall's biggest recruiting priorities, as it should be. Getting a big-time talent like Allen as one of Florida's first 2029 commits would be a great way to do just that.   

Allen's Carrollwood Day is a perfect 10-0 so far this season.

ALSO READ: Florida's landed 29 guys out of the transfer portal, but few have been impact players

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