Two Florida Gators signees competing for a State Championship

Senior seasons for most of the Florida Gators’ 2026 recruiting class have ended. Several names in UF’s signing class punched their ticket to the high school playoffs. However, only a few made it through to the State Championship game. Lakeland (Fla.) 4-star linebacker signee Malik Morris made it to the championship game earlier this month, but fell short to Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Saint Thomas Aquinas, 29-0.

Morris isn’t the only Florida signee who had a shot to win a championship this year. Two more UF signees will have their chance to win it all this weekend in the state of Texas.

Florida Gators WR signee Davian Groce

Florida Gators wide receiver signee Davian Groce and his Frisco (Texas) Lone Star teammates are appearing in the program’s first State Championship game since 2015. Not only does Groce have a chance to win a state title, but he also has a chance to finish the season undefeated with a win. Despite missing the first four games of his senior season, Groce leads his team in receiving yards per game and total receiving touchdowns this season. Heading into his final high school football game, Groce has 2105 all-purpose yards this season, with 1799 of those yards coming from his production on offense. Groce impacts games in different ways, but is projected as a receiver at the college level. He currently sits with 64 catches, 1552 receiving yards, and 18 receiving touchdowns. He’s also logged 21 carries for 247 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground.

It’s been a very productive career for the talented offensive weapon. Groce has accounted for 6460 All-Purpose yards in his career. He’s also averaged 150.2 yards per game in his career.

Lone Star (15-0) will take on Smithson Valley (14-1) on Friday at 8:00 p.m. ET from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Florida Gators Edge signee Kevin Ford

Fellow 4-star Florida Gators signee Kevin Ford will compete in his third State Championship game at Duncanville (Texas) on Saturday. Since arriving at Duncanville as a freshman, Ford won a championship in his freshman and sophomore years, but fell short in the semifinals as a junior. Duncanville is one of the top high school football programs in the state of Texas, and Ford has contributed to recent success during his time on the roster. The Florida Gators signee missed a few games this season, but appeared in 10 as a senior. Heading into Friday’s state championship game, he sits with 31 total tackles (17.5 TFL), 8.5 sacks, and 13 quarterback hurries. He’s also forced a fumble and blocked a punt this season.

With one game left in his high school career, Ford has also had plenty of production for the Panthers. In his career, Ford has accounted for 141 total tackles (47.5 TFL), 18 sacks, and 46 quarterback hurries. Furthermore, Ford has deflected 3 passes, blocked 1 punt, caused 3 fumbles, and recovered 3 fumbles. He returned one of those fumbles for a touchdown.

Duncanville (12-1) will take on North Shore (13-2) on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.