Florida early signing period updates, Miami and UNC recruiting AJ Marks

The early signing period is just a few days away — Dec. 3-5 — and the USA TODAY Florida Network reporters are contacting their sources around the state for latest news.

What players have essentially shut down their recruitment? What schools are making a late pitch to try to flip a player? What players are on the fence about their commitments and are picking up the phone when certain schools call?

How will the recent coaching hires, headlined by Lane Kiffin at LSU and John Sumrall at Florida, impact the recruiting landscape?

Here is what the USA Today Florida Network is hearing heading into the early signing period.

IMG CB AJ Marks a flip target for Miami, North Carolina

The recruitment of IMG cornerback AJ Marks continues to heat up heading into the early signing period.

North Carolina coach Bill Belichick reached out to Marks’ family directly on Monday. Miami called Marks, a Wake Forest commit on Tuesday.

The 5-foot-9, 160-pound Marks is ranked No. 81 on the USA Today Florida Network top 100. He plans to sign on Wednesday.

IMG IOL Steven Pickard flips from Syracuse to Florida State

IMG interior offensive lineman Steven Pickard flipped from Syracuse to Florida State on the eve of the early signing period.

The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder has been initially committed to Syracuse in January.

Since then, Pickard took two unofficial visits to Florida State and finally got an offer from the Seminoles on Monday.

The news of Pickard’s flip was first reported by On3’s Matt LaSerre.

Jackson State leading for Evans RB Li’Darious Pryor

Pryor has shined for Evans in his senior campaign. He rushed for 1,284 yards and 16 touchdowns on 136 carries.

He holds offers from the likes of James Madison, Toledo, Liberty, Wake Forest, and Cincinnati. Jackson State leads the race to land the 3-star out of Orlando.

Auburn LB commit Adam Balogoun-Ali considering his options

Cardinal Newman linebacker Adam Balogoun-Ali has been committed to Auburn since early July, but he suggested the Tigers may not be a lock for his signature on Wednesday.

The three-star linebacker said “there is definitely a chance” that there’s a change of plans.

Hugh Freeze was fired by Auburn on Nov. 2. The program hired former USF coach Alex Golesh on Sunday.

Before committing to Auburn, Balogoun-Ali also took official visits to North Carolina, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Missouri.

Balogoun-Ali is rated No. 67 on the USA Today Florida Network top 100. He leads Cardinal Newman with 101 tackles to go along with tackles for loss, two sacks and two passes defended.

Spruce Creek DL Freddie Wilson decommits from Georgia Tech

Wilson has been committed to Georgia Tech since July. He announced that he was reopening his recruitment late Monday night. Indications are he may wait to sign.

He then announced his decommitment from Georgia Tech on Tuesday afternoon.

The 6-foot-4, 265 pound wrecking ball tallied 66 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, and a forced fumble for Spruce Creek. He took summertime official visits to Miami and Houston along with Georgia Tech.

Wilson is the No. 5 DL in the USA TODAY Florida Top 100 and No. 72 player overall.

Buchholz ATH Justin Williams locked in with Gators

Justin Williams is staying home.

The Buchholz star receiver has been committed to the Gators since early June and reaffirmed his commitment after the program hired John Sumrall on Sunday.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Williams is ranked No. 31 on the USA Today Florida Network top 100. He leads Buchholz in receptions (64), receiving yards (1,059), receiving touchdowns (12) and rushing touchdowns (9).

As a junior, Williams had more than 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving.

Florida State trying to flip Eau Gallie S Xavier Lherisse

At one point, Florida State was Xavier Lherisse’s dream school. Now, it seems that the Seminoles aren’t ready to give up on him.

Florida State has continued to reach out to the Eau Gallie standout. Lherisse has been committed to Oregon since February. He is one of two Florida safeties, along with The First Academy’s Devin Jackson, committed to the Ducks.

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Lherisse is No. 38 on the USA Today Florida Network top 100.

Lherisse was a jack-of-all-trades for Eau Gallie this season. In addition to defensive back, Eau Gallie put Lherisse at quarterback after Joseph Allen was injured in the season opener.

Lherisse finished the season with 1,123 passing yards and 13 touchdowns, 1,318 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns and recorded 36 tackles, three tackles for loss, four interceptions and five pass breakups.

Chaminade-Madonna OL Ashley Walker decommits from Arkansas

Chaminade-Madonna three-star offensive tackle Ashley Walker decommitted from Arkansas on Monay.

Arkansas fired Sam Pittman on Sept. 28. The Razorbacks hired former Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield on Sunday.

The 6-foot-7, 300-pound Walker said he chose to decommit after the coaching change.

Jones WR Larry Miles set to sign with Nebraska

Larry Miles, one of the premier receivers in the state, posted on X Monday that he’s “locked in” and signing with Nebraska.

The 5-foot-10½, 170-pound Miles in No. 43 on the USA Today Florida Network top 100. He committed to Nebraska in July.

Miles leads Jones with 78 catches for 942 yards and nine touchdowns.

Tampa Jesuit QB Will Griffin locked in with Florida

Griffin has been foundational to this Gator 2026 class, and all indications are that he intends on signing with Florida this week.

Griffin, the No. 41 player in the state, was the first to pledge to the Gators in this cycle.

Miami Northwestern WR Calvin Russell firm with Syracuse

Syracuse is just a few days away from signing its first five star in more than 20 years.

Miami Northwestern wide receiver Calvin Russell, ranked No. 4 on the USA Today Florida Network top 100, reaffirmed his commitment to Syracuse after scoring two touchdowns in the Bulls 50-29 win over rival Miami Central on Saturday.

Syracuse general manager Thomas Caporale was at the Northwestern-Central game.

“I’m feeling great,” Russell said. “I’m definitely ready to sign. I’ve shut it down.”

Booker WR Tyren Hornes a priority for UCF

UCF is making strong push for Booker wide receiver Tyren Hornes.

UCF does not currently have a wide receiver in its 2026 class.

Hornes, formerly known as Tyren Wortham, initially committed to UCF in April before decommitting in June. He later committed to Michigan State before decommitting in October.

The 6-foot, 175-pounder has 54 catches for 798 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. He also has 112 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Penn State and Washington both offered Worthen after he decommitted from Michigan State.

West Virginia trying to flip Mainland LB Dennis King

West Virginia isn’t giving up on Mainland linebacker Dennis King III.

King picked USF over West Virginia when he committed in September, but the Mountaineers haven’t given up. Further complicating the issue is former USF coach Alex Golesh leaving the program for Auburn.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound King led Mainland with 117 tackles (9.8 per game) to go along with five tackles for loss, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, a sack and a forced fumble in 2025.

North Carolina making late push for IMG CB AJ Marks

North Carolina is trying hard to flip IMG cornerback AJ Marks. Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick is personally involved in recruiting Marks.

The 5-foot-9, 160-pound Marks, ranked No. 81 on the USA Today Florida Network top 100, committed to Wake Forest in July.

Marks had an outstanding season in 2025, finishing the season with 26 tackles, three interceptions, a team-best six pass breakups, a sack and three quarterback hurries. Marks also is a solid kick returner.

UF commit Malik Morris shuts down recruitment, Gator class still intact

The Gators have impressively not lost a single commitment since firing Billy Napier. Morris is the latest pledge to shut down his recruitment, he confirmed with USA TODAY.

“It’s all based off loyalty, man,” Morris said after Lakeland’s win over Edgewater in the Class 7A-Region 2 final. “…I’m shut down. I’m all the way in. It’s the culture, everybody around. I feel the like the people make the college, not the college makes the people.”

Morris, the No. 32 player in the USA TODAY Florida Top 100, chose Florida over Texas A&M and Missouri.

FSU commits asking for Mike Norvell clause in NIL deals

Multiple FSU commits have requested a clause in their NIL contracts that would release them from their deal if Mike Norvell is fired.

Florida State announced last week that Norvell would be returning for the 2026 season. Florida State finished the season 5-7 and missed a bowl for the second consecutive year.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida early signing period updates, Miami and UNC recruiting AJ Marks