Recent recruiting buzz adds another wrinkle to Florida's pursuit of Easton Royal

Last month, things looked very promising for the Florida Gators in the recruitment of five-star wide receiver Easton Royal. But in recent weeks, that optimism has faded to the point where it looks like Jon Sumrall will need a miracle to flip the Texas commit from New Orleans to the Gators' top-10 national recruiting class. 

And that miracle may come in the way of another five-star wide receiver, Monshun Sales. The Gators aren't in the picture for Sales, but Texas is and the Longhorns' Rivals/On3 writer Justin Wells doesn't believe that both blue-chip talents will be at the same school.

READ MORE: 5-star WR Easton Royal's silence on Texas official visit speaks volumes as Florida continues pursuit

"I mean, it sounds cool that they would have the idea of playing together at a school. But that's not real life. They're not going to the same school," Wells said on The Inside Scoop. "I don't see that happening. I have a really hard time seeing both of those kids in the same class. Texas is hanging on to Royal as tight as possible. It's going to be cool and fascinating to see how this plays out."

Jon Sumrall and Florida could be back in the race for Easton Royal

Sometimes the recruiting dominoes fall your way. Royal has been trending away from the Gators and toward LSU if he's going to leave Texas' class. But if Royal were to back away from his pledge, there's no guarantee he'll make an immediate decision. And time is the one thing that might be on the Gators' side. Let's say Royal decides to keep things in limbo going into the season and Florida gets off to a hot start. That could prove to be a big factor in what Royal decides to do. He's liked the Gators for a long time and has kept the program in the picture through a coaching change. 

READ MORE: Florida may be using one unexpected angle to push for Easton Royal

Sumrall has not been afraid to swing big in this recruiting cycle. He's landed a few and missed a few, but he's never backed down from the battle. Being as diligent a recruiter as Sumrall is, things have worked out very well, but it doesn't hurt to have a little bit of luck too. Royal is one of those prospects that you wait for. He is a consensus five-star prospect and is the top-rated wide receiver by both Rivals and 247Sports. Royal is the kind of playmaker that can change the look of an entire offense. You best believe Sumrall will take advantage of any bit of luck that comes his way with Royal. 

It bears repeating that the Gators are a long shot for Royal, and those odds have worsened the further he is removed from his official visit to Gainesville in mid-June. But if this recent news offers a slight crack in the door for Florida and that could be what Sumrall needs to kick it wide open again.

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