Florida’s recruiting momentum is heating up early as the Gators have secured three key commitments that lay the groundwork for another strong class in Gainesville. Head coach Billy Napier and his staff focused on toughness, speed, and Florida-native talent — landing prospects who fit the Gators’ identity on both sides of the ball.
The early trio includes offensive lineman Mike Cooks, linebacker Khairi Hocker, and cornerback Jeremiah Scaife, each bringing a distinct skill set and upside that should help Florida continue its rise as an SEC powerhouse.
🧱 Mike Cooks — 3⭐ OL, Hialeah, Florida
At 6’1” and 293 pounds, Cooks is a powerful, compact interior lineman who plays with a nasty edge in the trenches. Hailing from South Florida, he’s battle-tested against elite competition and has shown the versatility to line up at either guard spot.
Scouts praise his strong base and quick first step, making him effective in both run blocking and interior pass protection. His low pad level and leverage give defenders fits in short-yardage situations, and his ability to anchor makes him a natural fit for Florida’s physical ground attack.
Cooks projects as a developmental prospect who could become a multi-year starter once he adjusts to SEC speed. Florida’s focus on improving depth along the offensive line makes this commitment an important foundational piece for the future.
💥 Khairi Hocker — 3⭐ MLB, Parrish, Florida
If there’s one word to describe Khairi Hocker, it’s thumper. At 5’11” and 230 pounds, Hocker brings a classic old-school linebacker mentality — downhill, aggressive, and always around the football.
With 88 speed and 90 acceleration, he’s more than just a run stopper. Hocker has the athleticism to play sideline-to-sideline and the awareness to drop into coverage effectively, backed up by his 77 zone rating. He’s exactly the type of physical tone-setter Florida wants patrolling the middle of its defense.
Expect Hocker to compete early on special teams and develop into a reliable anchor at inside linebacker. His instincts and toughness fit perfectly with the Gators’ defensive culture under Napier and defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong.
🐊 Jeremiah Scaife — 4⭐ CB, Tampa, Florida
The crown jewel of Florida’s early class so far, Jeremiah Scaife brings both athleticism and polish to the Gators’ secondary. Ranked as the 206th overall prospect nationally, Scaife is one of the most promising defensive backs in the state of Florida.
At 6’0” and 184 pounds, he combines ideal size with elite athletic tools — including 94 speed and fluid hips that allow him to mirror receivers in man coverage. His coverage ratings all grade above 75, showcasing his balance between technique and playmaking ability.
Scaife thrives in press coverage but also shows natural instincts in zone, often jumping routes and turning defense into offense. With Florida’s tradition of developing high-end corners — from Joe Haden to Kaiir Elam — Scaife fits right into that legacy and could be an impact player sooner than later.
🔥 Recruiting Momentum Building in Gainesville
While these three early commitments are impressive, Florida’s staff is far from finished. Multiple in-state targets remain high on the Gators’ board, and there’s a sense that another wave of commitments could be on the horizon.
Napier’s emphasis on locking down the state of Florida continues to pay off, with all three early commits hailing from within state lines — a crucial sign that the Gators are winning key recruiting battles in their own backyard.
If Florida can continue this trend and land a few more high-profile names in the coming weeks, the 2026 class could set the foundation for sustained success in Gainesville for years to come.
Early Commit Class Recap:
- 🧱 OL Mike Cooks — 6’1”, 293 lbs, Hialeah, FL | 3⭐ | Powerful interior blocker with strong leverage and run-game upside
- 💥 MLB Khairi Hocker — 5’11”, 230 lbs, Parrish, FL | 3⭐ | Fast, physical linebacker with high football IQ and zone coverage ability
- 🐊 CB Jeremiah Scaife — 6’0”, 184 lbs, Tampa, FL | 4⭐ | Dynamic athlete with elite speed (94) and strong all-around coverage skills
The message from Gainesville is clear: Florida is reloading, not rebuilding. Stay tuned — more recruiting fireworks could be coming soon.
