Rivals/On3 insider boosts Florida's stock in recruiting race for 5-star WR Easton Royal

Steve Wiltfong wants to remind Jon Sumrall that it's tough to flip an elite player from Texas, but the Rivals/On3 VP of Recruiting isn't denying the fact that the Florida Gators staff has given five-star wide receiverEaston Royal plenty to think about on the heels of his official visit to Gainesville last weekend. 

With Royal now heading to Austin to close out his official visit schedule, there's little question about where his recruitment is. He has clearly stated that he's looking at three programs — Florida, Texas and LSU. Royal is committed to Texas, so one would have to think the Longhorns are the leader in the clubhouse, but as Wiltfong said on 'The Inside Scoop', it would not be wise to discount the Gators.

"It's tough to flip an elite player from Texas. He's just going through his process like Jalen Brewster and so many others. I do view Florida as a program that has piqued his interest. On his official visit he spent a lot of time with Eric Singleton and Dallas Wilson. [Royal] also got around the track program, which included their Olympic gold medalist, Grant Holloway, hanging out with him, and they did a track photo shoot," Wiltfong said. 

READ MORE: Florida's push for 5-star Easton Royal included a brilliant move during his visit

Florida has given 5-star WR Easton Royal a lot to think about

Sumrall's big weapon in recruiting is building the relationships. Players really like him, and they like what he stands for. It's been what's kept the Gators as Texas Tech's main competition for 5-star defensive lineman Jalen Brewster, and it's been what's kept Royal from going all-in on his Texas commitment or choosing to play for LSU in his home state. Bonding with the top players like Wilson and Singleton helps and Holloway just won a gold medal in the Paris Olympics for the 110 hurdles, so if that isn't a sign that Florida is committed to getting the best of its athletes, I don't know what is. 

But inevitably, it's Sumrall that presents the vision and their belief in what he wants to accomplish that is the deciding factor. Royal has previously said that Florida was one of his top schools, if not his top school, during the early days of his recruitment. When Billy Napier was fired, it would've been easy for Royal to move on, but he left the door open for Sumrall and the new Gators coach walked in and shown Royal the things he needed to see in terms of the changes he's made around the program.

"This is just showing the recruiting prowess the [Gators] have. They are going to go after the best players in the country, and they are committed and driven to find the talent that will put Florida back in the conversation to win the SEC and ultimately the national championship," Wiltfong added. 

Sumrall has proven to be a fearless recruiter with a sense of urgency. He doesn't expect patience from the fanbase, and he's not waiting around to prove he is worthy of this job. That attitude could be what puts the Gators over the top in Royal's recruitment. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow