Florida Basketball Secures 7-Foot Center Jones Lay Commitment

Florida's basketball program, fresh off a national championship, has secured a commitment from 7-foot center Jones Lay for its 2026 recruiting class, marking the first commitment for that class. Lay, a three-star player from Moravian Prep in North Carolina and ranked No. 142 nationally by Rivals, chose Florida over offers from South Carolina and other schools, citing his belief that Florida is the best place for his success and praising the coaching staff's relationships. Alongside Lay, Florida has already added highly ranked wings CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd for 2025, and is hosting other top prospects like four-star small forward Cole Cloer. Meanwhile, Florida State football is gaining recruiting momentum after a strong start to their season, extending a scholarship offer to four-star 2027 tight end DeMarcus DeRoche, who is currently committed to Miami but has family ties to FSU and recently visited their campus. FSU's 2027 recruiting class is ranked No. 4 nationally, with the program actively pursuing defensive end prospects to strengthen the lineup. These developments highlight both Florida's and Florida State's active recruiting efforts across basketball and football, positioning them well for future competitive success.