4-star WR: ‘Florida is a really big school for me’

On Tuesday, the Florida Gators offered multiple wide receivers in the 2026 class, with one being in-state product Jayden Petit .

Representing Naples (Fla.) First Baptist Academy, Petit reeled in 66 passes for 1,141 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2023. Now, nearly a dozen schools are on board with a scholarship offer.

“It wasn’t really out of the blue. Lately, they’ve been showing a lot of interest and it has been building from there. We’ve been in more contact recently then we ever have been,” Petit told Gators Online.

“The person I spoke with was (wide receivers coach) Billy Gonzales . It was the first time talking to him over the phone, so it was pretty nice to meet him. I got to see what he’s about. We were listing off people we know from Florida and he wanted me to know Florida is great.”

One of those people Petit knows in Gainesville is junior defensive back Devin Moore . Those two grew up together in Naples and still communicate from time to time.

“I’ve known somebody who goes over there in Devin Moore,” Petit said. “I grew up with him, so it was real cool over there. I haven’t got to talk to him yet (about the offer). I’d say we are pretty close. His dad was my coach for AAU, so we’ve been around each other for a while.”

A return trip to Florida could take place sooner than later

Petit, 6-foot-4, 196 pounds, first visited the Gators last year along with some teammates in basketball. It was a short visit and he didn’t speak with any coaches but left with much to like about Gainesville.

Now possessing a scholarship offer, the On300 prospect is ready to take a deeper dive into the program. One of those visits will “most likely” be for the Aug. 31 season opener against Miami.

“I plan on getting back up to watch a couple of games,” Petit said.

Are front runners in place for Jayden Petit?

In addition to the Gators, the Sunshine State native holds offers from Miami, Auburn, Ole Miss, Penn State, Louisville, Pittsburgh, UCF and West Virginia among others.

The Hurricanes, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine , are trending after receiving multiple visits during the offseason. Do those odds paint an accurate picture?

“I don’t really have a list right now. I feel like it’s kind of early for that,” said Petit. “Florida is a really big school for me though.”

Ole Miss, Missouri, Miami, Louisville, Tennessee and Texas A&M are schools in consistent communication.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

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