4-star OL: Florida is ‘one of the ones at the top’

Since colleges could start initiating communication on June 15, 2026 Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep offensive lineman Johnnie Jones has been flooded with attention.

One school being consistent with weekly communication is the University of Florida . The Gators offered in the spring and have since emerged as an intriguing option for the 6-foot-6, 280-pound rising junior.

According to the On3 Industry Ranking , a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Jones is the No. 16 offensive tackle and No. 173 prospect overall.

“They’re one of the ones at the top,” Jones said of the Gators. “They are a great program with the ability to compete for a national championship. They are constantly growing and developing people for the NFL. (I also like) the engineering building and athletic building.”

Tasked with courting Jones on behalf of the SEC program are multiple staff members. Co-offensive line coach John Decoster , however, has been in his ear the most as of late.

“It’s strong,” Jones said of his relationship with the Gators. “It’s coach Dre and (quality control – offensive line) coach Kaleb (Johnson) I talk to coach Kaleb pretty much on a day-to-day basis about how my day is going and how the workout is going.

“I’ll say the relationship with all the coaches is smooth and strong. I’m able to talk to them about anything. The person I text most is probably Chirp (co-offensive line coach John Decoster ); I would say chirp. We talk about what other schools are contacting and things I’m doing at my school, so I can talk about anything I need to.”

Proximity is helping in this recruitment

Although a date is not scheduled, the 4-star prospect knows when he will likely return to Gainesville. Thankfully for both parties though, a strong level of familiarity is already in place following multiple face-to-face interactions. Jones residing only two hours from campus certainly helps too.

“I don’t have a visit yet scheduled, but I’ve been up in Gainesville three times already,” said Jones. “I pretty much know my way around the school and will be back up for a game.”

Johnnie Jones is approaching the 20-offer mark

Being a household name in the On300 rankings, it’s no surprise Jones is stacking up offers in a hurry.

Joining the Florida Gators on the Tampa native’s offer sheet are Georgia, Miami, Missouri, Penn State, Louisville, UCF, Rutgers, West Virginia, Syracuse and Iowa State among others. It’s also worth noting that Jones is a Miami legacy, as his uncle is former Hurricanes defensive lineman Baraka Atkins .

The Gators, however, are trending in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine early on. Those odds are at 36.5 percent, while Georgia checks in at No. 2 with odds of 32 percent.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

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