The Florida Gators have emphasized taking 1-2 tight ends in every recruiting class under Billy Napier. With the exception of the 2023 class, where Florida didn’t add a tight end, the Gators have taken two tight ends each year from the high school / portal ranks.
One of the tight ends Florida is keeping a close eye on in the 2026 class is IMG Academy product Kekua Aumua, who recently visited UF on January 18th.
“Their academic center was big, that’s a big priority,” Aumua said after is visit. “Definitely a top school, not just because their team’s top, but because they put academic’s first, that’s a big priority for me.”
Aumua had built connection with tight ends coach Russ Callaway prior to the visit, but this was Aumua’s first time being on campus and seeing the coaches in person.
“It was good, I was able to build a good connection with him,” Aumua said on meeting Callaway. “Got to meet the head coach too, very good meeting him, got my family to meet them too.”
Aumua liked the close-knit relationship Callaway has built with his players.
“How close he is with his players,” Aumua said on what stood out about Callaway. “That’s the one thing I noticed when I first entered the room, the tight end room, was that all of them were together, it wasn’t just a tight end room, he builds a special, special connection with those guys.”
Florida likes Aumua because of his size and versatility. Standing at 6’5, 240 pounds, Aumua fits Florida’s 12-personnel offense with his ability to block but also pass catch.
“They said they like how I’m able to get in the dirt, put a man down, but also flex out and catch the ball,” Aumua said. “I think the tight end is such an amazing position because you can block, but sometimes they forget they can go out and catch.”
“They revolve their offense around tight ends, and that’s one of the things I like about it. It’s a 12-personnel offense,” Aumua added.
The Hawaii native has a lot of upside despite being just a three-star recruit, according to 247Sports.
Greg Biggins, a National Recruiting Analyst for 247, had this to say about Aumua after observing him at the Warriors 4 Youth Camp in July of 2024.
“Aumua was easily among the best college prospects we saw at the Warriors 4 Youth Camp in July. He has an athletic 6-5, 240 pound frame and projects as an every down tight end who can play in any situation. He showed strong hands, uses his frame to box out smaller linebackers and safeties and catches the ball well through contact. He’s a dominant run blocker on tape and can maul opposing linebackers or even edge rushers at the HS level. He’s a physical player with a nice edge in his game and shows the ability to play as an in-line tight end in run heavy situations or move out in the slot and be a focal point of the passing game. His upside is very high and he’s going to be recruited at the high Power 4 level.”
Aumua holds offers 14 offers including Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma State, BYU, Louisville, UCF, Illionois, and USF. Aumua opted not to claim exactly where Florida stands in his recruitment because he wants to visit a few more schools first.
“They’re up there,” Aumua said on Florida. “Can’t put a place on it yet because I’m still under the radar, still haven’t gotten to a lot of schools, but I’m just grateful to be here.”
Aumua is set to officially visit Florida on June 6th of 2025.