This isn't the news the Florida Gators wanted to hear.
The Florida Gators have been one of the more aggressive teams in college football ever since Jon Sumrall took over as head coach in late November.
Florida was ubiquitous in the transfer portal, putting together one of the best hauls in the country this winter. It has also stepped it up considerably on the recruiting trail and has found itself in the mix for countless top prospects.
That includes 2027 offensive tackle Mark Matthews, the top-rated tackle and the second-ranked player overall in his recruiting class, via 247 Sports' composite rankings.
Given that Matthews hails from Fort Lauderdale, you would think the Gators might have an edge in potentially landing him, and Sumrall and Co. have certainly been making a strong push for the 6-foot-6, 300-pound lineman.
However, Matthews hit Florida with some tough news this week, revealing that Georgia, Miami and Texas are actually his top three schools right now, via Chad Simmons of On 3.
Matthews then really hit the Gators where it hurts by raving about Georgia.
Florida Gators coach Jon Sumrall. Credit: Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images."Got to talk to coach Kirby, you just get that feeling at Georgia, it’s a winning program, you get that winning feeling when you step on campus," Matthews said. "And I like it. … Not to be weird, but the aura they have; Georgia’s a good place."
Of course, there is still time for Florida to sway Matthews' opinion, but at this point, it looks like the St. Thomas Aquina product has narrowed down his field, and it unfortunately does not include the Gators.
For as much as we have heard Florida involved on a plethora of different prospects, it has actually only secured one commitment for 2027, coming in the form of four-star cornerback Amare Nugent.
Nugent was definitely a great get for the Gators, but they absolutely need to start bagging more definitive recruits.
Florida went just 4-8 last season and has posted four losing campaigns over the last five years, marking one of the worst stretches in program history.
Sumrall is aiming to change that as soon as possible. We'll see if the former Tulane coach can bring some spunk back to Gainesville.
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