![Florida head coach Jon Sumrall watches practice during Florida Football Fall camp availability at Heavener Football Training Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5000,h_2812/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/213/01m00kc6jabkwyt0xrch.jpg "Florida head coach Jon Sumrall watches practice during Florida Football Fall camp availability at Heavener Football Training Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]")
Florida’s class of 2028 is quickly coming into focus. Yes, we said class of 2028. While the Gators only have one commit from the class, which is in line with virtually every other team in the country, it won’t be long before prospects start committing left and right.
The one commit they have is four-star wide receiver Armani Strong, and they are pushing hard for another four-star wide receiver they are hoping to land out of Georgia.
Florida in the running to land John Matthews
John Matthews is a wide receiver out of Newnan, GA, about 45 minutes outside of Atlanta. Listed at 6’0” and 180 pounds, Matthews is listed as a three-star by 247, Rivals, and ESPN, but is considered an industry four-star with Rivals as a top 300 overall prospect.
What stands out with Matthews on film is his ability to use his body as leverage to get between an opposing defender and the ball when a pass is en route. So while he may not be the biggest receiver out there, he does well to get physical enough to utilize this leverage. He has some decent speed but what’s more impressive are some of the difficult catches in traffic he’ll make.
He also has great chemistry with his QB Brodie Campbell, a class of 2027 Georgia Tech commit, as there are some dimes dropped in between two defenders that Matthews hauls in.
Chad Simmons of Rivals just featured Matthews and the belief is that while Florida has made a strong impression, Ohio State is starting to make their own push for Matthews. The Gators first offered Matthews back in January and he has been on campus since. But Ohio State made an offer in late July to Matthews and are pushing to get him on campus at some point this fall.
Ohio State and Florida are battling to land 4-star WR John Matthews, @ChadSimmons_ reports👀
— Rivals (@Rivals) August 13, 2026
One team is in the best position.
Details: https://t.co/OADiuYCXT3 pic.twitter.com/WsNz286lu1
It’s at this point our obligatory disclaimer for all class of 2028 prospects comes into play as there is a ton time between now and when they would actually sign on the dotted line to commit. But as we have started to point out when covering these 2028 prospects, there is more and more pressure to get in roads with these players sooner and sooner.
So we’ll see what type of season Matthews has and if Florida can keep their early lead over Ohio State in his recruitment.
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