Image Credit: Mallory Peak, UAA

The Florida Gators delivered on National Signing Day by locking up the strongest close yet under head coach Billy Napier. The latest significant pick up came in the form of four-star defensive back Lagonza Hayward (Lyons, GA), who committed to join Florida after leaving Tennessee’s class earlier this week.

Hayward (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) had been pledged to the Volunteers since July only to decommit on Sunday standing as the program’s second-highest rated potential signee. He was on campus on Sunday following the Gators’ latest major win and ultimately became the 12th prospect that Napier has poached from a rival or Power Four program in the last 18 days.

Ranked as the No. 72 overall player in the 247Sports Composite, Hayward is now the third-highest rated commitment in Florida’s Class of 2025 and second blue-chip secondary player to jump on board recently alongside four-star DB Hylton Stubbs (Jacksonville, FL)

Florida moved up another slot into the No. 10 spot in the 247Sports Composite team rankings with Hayward now on board. It will look to continue flipping prospects Wednesday.

The Gators sat No. 43 prior to the LSU game after falling as low as 51st in early November.

Given where Florida started a few weeks ago, this ascension in such a short period of time is unlike anything the program has seen from a recruiting standpoint in its history.

Stick with Only Gators for live National Signing Day updates throughout the afternoon.