Florida Projected to Add Two More Standout Prospects to 2028 Recruiting Class
The Florida Gators are beginning to gain momentum in the 2028 recruiting cycle. Just days after securing their first commitment in the class, the program has emerged as the favorite to land two more highly regarded defensive backs.
Recruiting analyst Zach Blostein of 247Sports recently logged Crystal Ball predictions for Florida to land four-star safety Cyion Smith of Blountstown, Florida, and four-star cornerback Dominick Harris-Payne of Lakeland, Florida.
If those projections prove accurate, the pair would join four-star wide receiver Armani Strong as the foundation of Florida’s 2028 class. Strong, who committed on June 28, became the Gators’ first pledge in the cycle and is ranked No. 155 nationally and the No. 23 wide receiver by 247Sports.
Florida Building Strong Relationship With Cyion Smith
Smith, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound defensive back, is ranked as the No. 175 overall prospect and the No. 14 safety in the 2028 class according to Rivals.
Florida extended an offer to Smith on May 16, shortly after he reopened his recruitment by decommitting from Mississippi State. Since then, the Gators have made him a priority.
Smith visited Gainesville during Florida’s June 7-on-7 camp before returning later in the month for the program’s Grill in the Ville recruiting event. Following that visit, he told Rivals that Florida had established itself among his top schools thanks to the coaching staff’s consistent communication.
That relationship has been backed by impressive production on the field. As a sophomore in 2025, Smith totaled 30 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and seven interceptions after posting 40 tackles, 12 pass breakups, and four interceptions during his freshman season.
Dominick Harris-Payne Also Trending Toward Florida
The Gators are also in a strong position with Harris-Payne, another highly regarded defensive back in the 2028 class.
The Lakeland native is ranked No. 272 nationally and the No. 26 cornerback in the Rivals Industry Rankings. Florida offered him in March, and he has since made multiple visits to Gainesville, including the Gators’ spring game in April and the Grill in the Ville recruiting weekend in June.
After his most recent visit, Harris-Payne told 247Sports that Florida has consistently remained near the top of his recruitment.
He praised the coaching staff’s approach throughout the recruiting process and indicated that if the relationship continues to develop, the Gators are likely to remain one of his top choices moving forward.
Florida Positioned Well Early in 2028 Cycle
Neither Smith nor Harris-Payne has announced a commitment timeline or released a list of finalists, but both prospects appear to have built strong relationships with Florida’s coaching staff.
As the Gators finalize their 2027 recruiting class, the program is already laying a solid foundation for 2028. If Florida ultimately lands both Smith and Harris-Payne, it would give the Gators three four-star commitments and significant early momentum in the next recruiting cycle.
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