ORLANDO, Fla. — Rivals.com analysts John Garcia Jr. and Greg Smith have Rival Views on which program was on the minds of more prospects at the Media Day for the UA Next All-American Game.
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QUESTION: Which program was on the minds of more recruits among Under Armour All-Americans?
GREG SMITH: OREGON
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The Ducks have four players on the All-America Bowl roster, which is a good number. You’d expect that type of showing from the team that ended the Early Signing Period with the top recruiting class. But the amount of signees is not why Oregon is my pick for this question.
The program has an incredible amount of buzz with elite prospects right now. When the 2025 prospects were asked which program finished second for them, the Ducks were the team with the most responses. While that’s impressive, so is how many different 2026 players we talked to at Media Day had Oregon in their top groups. If the Ducks weren’t already among their favorites it seems like they still wanted to visit Oregon to see what it was like.
Coach Dan Lanning is doing a tremendous job on the recruiting trail and getting players interested in his program. The program also happens to be the favorite to win the College Football Playoff this year. It’s good to be a Duck right now and there is no shortage of top prospects ready to join the program.
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JOHN GARCIA JR.: FLORIDA
The numbers do the talking here as Florida kicks off the week with the most future roster members occupying the All-American roster with seven, including six signees for Billy Napier and company. It is the most of any program in the nation and somewhat reflective of the red-hot November and December the program had on the recruiting trail after the administration doubled-down on Napier’s staff as the upset wins piled up.
Sure, some of the longest-standing pledges to UF such as legacy recruit Vernell Brown III and in-state quarterback Will Griffin are represented, but so are many others that looked like other options could have ended their recruitments. Running back Byron Louis was committed to Florida State, linebacker Ty Jackson was on board with USC, defensive end Jalen Wiggins took a late trip to Notre Dame and of course the latest addition was committed to Oregon for nearly two years in Dallas Wilson.
The younger recruits on hand, even beyond Griffin, also held plenty of buzz toward the Gators.
No. 1 athlete Derrek Cooper mentioned Florida among top contenders as did elite tight end Kaden Prothro. Linebacker Izayia Williams grew up a fan and has the program sky-high on his list. The same goes for fellow four-stars Simeon Caldwell, KJ Ford and Zech Fort, who is set to commit in February.
Just about everywhere one looked on media day Sunday, a top Florida commitment or top target was on hand.
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