![Florida head coach Jon Sumrall meets the crowd during Gator Walk before an NCAA football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 5, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_3000,h_1687/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/213/01m26bbajsdfsj3jt4r2.jpg "Florida head coach Jon Sumrall meets the crowd during Gator Walk before an NCAA football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 5, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]")
Last weekend was a loaded weekend in Gainesville in terms of recruiting, as the Gators had a number of notable prospects in town as Jon Sumrall and crew look to build their class of 2028.
This weekend will be more focused on the class of 2027 players Florida does have committed in its class, but there is one class of 2028 prospect who has the potential to be one of the hidden sleepers in this class.
Florida hosting three-star safety Eli King this weekend
Eli King is a safety out of Alabama. Listed at 5’11” and 180 pounds, King is listed as a three-star by both 247 and Rivals, while ESPN has him unrated. In the 247 Composite, he is ranked at No. 651.
On film, though, there is a lot that we like where we could justify giving him a bump from that ranking. King’s explosion to the ball is the first thing that jumps out, and he seldom seems to hesitate once he gets a read on the play. For better or for worse, he is more of a ball-hawking safety compared to someone who is looking to take your head off. But even though his size isn’t the most imposing, he isn’t afraid to fly downhill in run support and make a stop.
With that said, it also doesn’t shock us where King is ranked at the moment. Knowing how these rankings go and what these sites look for, his size is a tick below the four-star guys, and his total film is a bit short. It’s also worth noting that he plays safety on film, and his Rivals profile lists him as a safety, but his 247 profile lists him as a cornerback.
If we were to get a crystal ball and project into the future, King probably projects better as a corner than as a safety.
Either way, he is a super intriguing player to keep an eye on as his recruitment ramps up. As seems to be the case with a bunch of the 2028 prospects, King is taking a mega tour of college football this season, and he is slated to be in The Swamp this weekend. Based on the schedule he posted last month, he plans to visit 10 total campuses this fall.
Blessed to experience different game day environments across the country!!! #visits #football #Thompson @RecruitWarriors @ScoutFball @JHaglerDBZ @CoachDChapman30 @ChadSimmons_ @TomLoy247 @CoachTyroneKing @HallTechSports1 @AL7AFootball @coachmarkf pic.twitter.com/1KOmpJZXpI
— Eli King (@EliKing_1_) August 31, 2026
It’s hard to say how much momentum Florida does or doesn’t have with King, but if this weekend goes well, he is worth keeping an eye on moving forward.
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