Recruiting can change quickly in today’s college football. Two days before early singing day, the Gators didn’t have a single commitment from a safety in the 2025 class. After staying connected with a pair of highly regarded prospects until the very end, Florida flipped two top 10 safeties in Drake Stubbs and Lagonza Hayward, both of which signed on December 4th and enrolled for spring football.
With a number of injuries in the secondary throughout spring camp, Stubbs and Hayward were able to find significant reps within the two deep, increasing their chances at early playing time in Gainesville.
Stubbs, the 54th overall prospect and 4th ranked safety in the 2025 class according to 247Sports Composite, looked every bit the part of an aggressive SEC safety during Florida’s Orange and Blue spring game. Stubbs started for the 2nd team defense and racked up eight tackles (5 solo), one interception, and one QB hurry. Stubbs was flying around the field, clearly showing he’s not afraid to make a big-time tackle in open space. Stubbs plays a lot bigger than his 6’1, 197-pound frame, which Florida utilized by lining up the freshmen safety in the box and letting him get after the quarterback.
“I thought Stubbs was really active,” head coach Billy Napier said after the spring game. “He’s got a knack for finding the ball. He continues to evolve in terms of knowing the system, but in general, physical player, not scared of contact, seeks it out. I thought he did a good job as a blitzer today a couple different times and just height, length, and then, you know, he’s not scared to put his face in there. He will continue to grow and evolve. Still a young player, still learning. I think the game is slowing down for him a little bit, but good special teams player. A big summer ahead for him.”
Stubbs did struggle in coverage much like the rest of Florida’s defense, particularly vs star freshman receiver Dallas Wilson. While it’s clear Stubbs is still adjusting to defensive concepts at the college level, his physicality, strength, and aggressiveness match what you are looking for in a young safety.
Hayward, the 79th overall prospect and 8th ranked safety in the 2025 class, worked at both STAR and safety throughout spring camp. Florida’s staff likes Hayward’s strength and physicality, which allows him to move around the defense. With Aaron Gates recovering from a knee injury, it’s possible Hayward sees time with Sharif Denson at STAR due to the physicality of the position.
“You know a big, strong, smart mentally tough football player,” safety coach Vinnie Sunseri said on Hayward. “He studies the game extremely hard, he meets extra, he works out, extremely tough, sometimes you see him in the weight room and you see how much weight he’s doing and you’re like God dang, I wish I would have done that, but just a great young man and I’m extremely blessed to have the opportunity to coach him.”
It’s always good to get high school athletes to enroll early, especially at difficult positions to learn like safety. Not only did Stubbs and Hayward get to campus for spring football, but they got valuable reps with the second team defense due to several defensive backs limited with injuries.
“Every rep, every opportunity, every chance they get on the field, to see the speed of the game, to see the speed of change of strength, motion, how you have to communicate and how you have to cover players, it’s all different from high school to college, so I think they’ve benefitted a lot,” Sunseri said on Hayward and Stubbs. “I think they’ve learned and they’ve grown and they practice at an extremely high level, I mean they go out there every single day and give everything they’ve got, and I’m extremely proud of them, from the spring.”
Stubbs and Hayward’s continued development throughout summer and fall camp will determine how much playing time they receive during their cookie campaigns, but the feedback from the staff and their play on the football field has been overwhelmingly positive post spring camp.
The young talent is amazing. I really look forward to watching Sunseri coach up these athletes and others as assistant D coordinator. Sunseri was an incredible safety for Alabama and I vividly remember what a devastating missile he was for the Tide. Brutal hits and a definite ability to be at the right place at the right time. I am excited to watch that ability to be initiated and directed by him as our coach!