Florida Gators Aggressively Recruiting 4-Star Miami Commit DeMarcus DeRoche

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound tight end prospect continues to draw major interest despite his commitment to the Hurricanes.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Four-star recruit DeMarcus DeRoche, a Miami commit from Cardinal Gibbons High, is being heavily recruited by the Florida Gators despite his current commitment to the Hurricanes. The Gators, along with Ohio State and Texas, are pushing hard for DeRoche, who is ranked as the No. 22 prospect in Florida by Rivals. DeRoche praised the Gators' new coaching staff, especially tight ends coach Evan McKissack, and said he is considering official visits to Gainesville, Columbus, and Austin.

Why it matters

DeRoche's recruitment highlights the constant battle for top talent in the state of Florida, as major programs look to flip committed prospects. The Gators, in particular, are trying to make inroads in South Florida as they rebuild their program under new head coach Jon Sumrall.

The details

DeRoche, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound tight end prospect, committed to Miami last August. However, the offseason departure of Hurricanes tight ends coach Cody Woodiel, DeRoche's primary recruiter, has created an opportunity for other programs to intensify their pursuit. Aside from Florida, both Ohio State and Texas are heavily involved in DeRoche's recruitment, and he has an official visit set up with the Longhorns.

  • DeRoche committed to Miami in August 2025.
  • Cody Woodiel, DeRoche's primary recruiter at Miami, left for Ole Miss in the offseason.

The players

DeMarcus DeRoche

A four-star recruit and the No. 22 prospect in Florida according to Rivals, DeRoche is currently committed to the Miami Hurricanes but is being heavily recruited by the Florida Gators, Ohio State, and Texas.

Jon Sumrall

The new head coach of the Florida Gators, who is leading the charge to flip DeRoche from his Miami commitment.

Evan McKissack

The Florida Gators' tight ends coach, who is heavily involved in the recruitment of DeRoche.

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What they’re saying

“They're there. They're creating a buzz.”

— DeMarcus DeRoche (on3.com)

“I like him. He's very energetic and he seems like a really good guy. I like the whole new staff. They seem like they really want me really bad. They want to have a relationship with me.”

— DeMarcus DeRoche (on3.com)

What’s next

DeRoche plans to visit Florida in March or April and is considering taking official visits to the Gators, Ohio State, and Texas.

The takeaway

The battle for top talent in Florida continues, as the Gators look to make inroads in South Florida and flip a key commitment from their in-state rival Miami. DeRoche's recruitment showcases the constant flux of the college football landscape, where even committed prospects can be swayed by aggressive pursuit from other major programs.