4-star WR Amare Patterson back at Florida as Gators push for his pledge

Florida continues to prioritize the South Carolina standout as the Gators build recruiting momentum.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 7:04pm

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Four-star wide receiver Amare Patterson from Ridgeland, South Carolina has visited the University of Florida multiple times as the Gators make him a top recruiting priority in the 2027 class. Patterson, ranked as the No. 247 overall prospect and No. 33 wide receiver in the nation, is considering Florida along with SEC rivals LSU, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Why it matters

Landing elite in-state talent like Patterson is crucial for the Florida Gators as they look to rebuild their program under new head coach Jon Sumrall. Securing commitments from top regional prospects early in the recruiting cycle can provide momentum and set the tone for the Gators' 2027 class.

The details

Patterson, a 6-foot pass-catcher, was in Gainesville for a visit in January and returned this week to check out a spring practice. The Gators have made Patterson a top priority, with assistant coaches regularly communicating with him about their plans to make him a centerpiece of the offense. Patterson has an official visit to Florida scheduled for June 11, and the Gators are competing with SEC rivals LSU, South Carolina, and Georgia for his commitment.

  • Patterson visited Florida in January 2026.
  • Patterson returned to Florida for a spring practice in March 2026.
  • Patterson has an official visit to Florida scheduled for June 11, 2026.

The players

Amare Patterson

A 4-star wide receiver prospect from Ridgeland, South Carolina who is ranked as the No. 247 overall player and No. 33 wide receiver in the 2027 recruiting class.

Jon Sumrall

The new head football coach at the University of Florida.

Steve Spurrier

A legendary former head football coach at the University of Florida.

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What they’re saying

“Florida and Georgia are back and forth with me. Both coaching staffs are competing to see who can recruit me the hardest. Every day, they hit me up.”

— Amare Patterson, 4-star wide receiver prospect

“The old staff was on me hard, and the new staff has jumped in the same way. They are on me heavy. They're telling me I'm the guy for them and that they want me. I talk to Coach Davis, Coach McKnight and some other coaches — they're definitely up there for me.”

— Amare Patterson, 4-star wide receiver prospect

What’s next

Patterson plans to continue visiting his top contenders throughout the spring before taking official visits, which will be crucial in his recruitment process. Florida is expected to be one of the schools that receives an official visit from Patterson.

The takeaway

The recruitment of 4-star wide receiver Amare Patterson has become a priority for the Florida Gators as they look to build momentum in the 2027 recruiting cycle. Securing a commitment from an elite in-state prospect like Patterson would be a major win for new head coach Jon Sumrall as he works to revive the Gators' program.