With the first dead period of 2025 currently underway, Gator Country caught up with several up-and-coming prospects from the 2026 class during Florida’s final junior day event of January. 6-7, 330-pound offensive lineman Courtlin Heard details his thoughts on the Gators after recently gaining interest from Billy Napier and UF. The Georgia native currently attends East Coweta High School and is an unranked prospect in the 2026 class with 14 total scholarship offers.
“They have been doing good so far, it took a minute getting in touch, but they said they are going to heat up the recruiting process,” Heard said on the momentum Florida has gained in his recruiting process.
Billy Napier and his staff have clearly been targeting big bodied offensive linemen as the next cycle ramps up. Standing at 6-7, 330 pounds, the Gators may have found a diamond in the rough that could see some increased attention from teams in 2025.
“Height and weight with the ability to get out in space, they think I’m an all-around player,” Heard said on what the Gators think of the Georgia native.
As far as future visits go, Heard currently has no set dates for any official visits after the dead period and will figure those out shortly. A second trip to Gainesville in the future looks to be in play for the unranked prospect.
“There’s stuff I still have to set but I want to get back down here for sure,” Heard said.
Heard isn’t looking for much other than a true family connection and second home to him and his family. The bond is important for the underrated offensive lineman and his connection with the Gators is only growing stronger.
“Pretty much a school that, if I wasn’t playing football would still be cool with me living here. Somewhere I feel like family and not just another player on the team, but kind of like a priority,” Heard said on what he’s looking for in his recruitment.
Courtlin and his brother, Courtney Heard, have clearly made it known that they are a package deal and will be going to college together when the time comes. Both prospects nearly have the same amount of offers with Florida, Miami and Florida State sitting at the top of their list as we approach the month of March. The East Coweta High School talent has plans to take more official visits in the summer but has no dates currently set.