![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier claps his hands at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 23, 2024 after the Gators defeated the Rebels 24-17 [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_717,w_5765,h_3242/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01k37qs4martqx9yt328.jpg "Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier claps his hands at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 23, 2024 after the Gators defeated the Rebels 24-17 [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]")
There are a lot of ways to measure the strength of a recruiting class. Overall ranking, ranking within conference, ranking among rivals, or simply by evaluating the number of stars.
Whatever measuring stick you want to use, Florida has been putting together a quality 2026 class.
But in Thursday's class of 2026 rankings released by ESPN, they made a significant stride over some in-state foes.
Gators ranked 11th in ESPN's recruiting rankings
The busy portion of the recruiting cycle has passed, but Florida has continued to add quality recruits. Their latest get certainly falls into that category, landing a pledge from four-star wide receiver Davian Groce.
ESPN ranks Groce as the Gators' best recruit and the 34th best in the 2026 class overall. The wide receiver is a consensus top-85 recruit and top-eight wideout.
Groce committed to Florida on Aug. 11, just days after ESPN's previous rankings were released. His commitment bumped the Gators up one spot, but that spot came at the expense of the in-state rival Miami Hurricanes.
Florida now boasts the top ranked recruiting class among schools in the Sunshine State, finishing barely ahead of the Hurricanes and the Florida State Seminoles, who check in at the 13th spot.
They hold the title despite having fewer commits than both of their Florida counterparts.
Favoring quality over quantity, Florida has 14 recruits within ESPN's top 300, the most of any team outside of the Top 5.
In addition to besting FSU and Miami, the Gators have the sixth bet class in the SEC.
ESPN gave plenty of flowers to Florida commit JaReylan McCoy when discussing the class.
"The 6-foot-7, 260-pound Mississippi native brings elite length, explosive traits and a relentless motor that was on full display at the Under Armour All-America week in January. Beating out LSU and Texas for McCoy marks a major recruiting win for Napier, and McCoy has the potential to develop into one of the SEC's most feared defensive linemen."
They have McCoy ranked as the second best defensive player in the ESPN 300 and have him seated at ninth overall.