Florida keeps rolling with addition of four-star WR Elias Pearl

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall. Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jon Sumrall, Florida keep rolling with addition of four-star WR Elias Pearl

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated May 19, 2026 7:30 PM ET

Jon Sumrall hasn't coached an official down for the Florida Gators yet, but it's clear that he knows how to build excitement around a program.

The Gators have been rolling on the 2027 recruiting trail and Sumrall is building a class that could end up looking elite when all is said and done.

They may have had a bit of a built-in advantage with their newest commitment, four-star wide receiver Elias Pearl from Port Charlotte, Florida. He grew up a fan of the Gators, after all.

Still, the Gators landed Pearl on Tuesday and it was a notable commitment because they had some big-time competition.

Also in the running were the Georgia Bulldogs, Florida State Seminoles, LSU Tigers and Ole Miss Rebels.

BREAKING: Four-Star WR Elias Pearl has Committed to Florida, he tells me for @Rivals

The 5’11 185 WR chose the Gators over Georgia, Florida State, LSU, and Ole Miss

“Dreams come true you just have to stay consistent and be all in.”https://t.co/ZFQn8AIuxo pic.twitter.com/yhdvAZ8NQ4
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 19, 2026

"Florida's just always been my dream school," Pearl told Swamp247. "I used to go up to Gainesville every weekend."

That fact, of course, gave Florida an advantage with the 4-star wide receiver, but the new UF staff also put in the work on the recruiting trail.

Florida Gators staff wins over four-star WR Elias Pearl

Pearl specifically mentioned wideouts coach Marcus Davis.

"Definitely love his energy," Pearl said. "Definitely love how he coaches … I love his energy. He's a great guy."

This is ultimately a big-time commitment for the Gators. Pearl is ranked as the No. 15 wideout in the country, according to 247Sports.

His breakout junior season for Port Charlotte High saw him catch 69 passes for 1,052 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also rushed 40 times for 253 yards and 11 touchdowns and added two kick return touchdowns on special teams.

Pearl is a special prospect, and the Gators are more than excited to have him in the fold.

"They love what I do on the field, and they love me as a person," Pearl said.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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