Florida Gators Locked in Fierce Recruiting War With LSU, Texas A&M, and Nebraska for Nation’s Top Tight End in 2027
In the ever-intensifying arms race that is college football recruiting, the Florida Gators have found themselves at the center of one of the most high-stakes battles in the 2027 cycle. This time, it’s for the No. 1 tight end prospect in the country—a generational pass-catching talent whose decision could shape the trajectory of any program lucky enough to land him. With LSU, Texas A&M, and Nebraska all firmly in the mix, Florida is pulling out every stop in a heated national recruitment that has quickly become one of the most compelling storylines of the 2027 class.
The player at the heart of this recruiting war is Malachi Carson, a 6-foot-6, 235-pound tight end from Denton, Texas, who has exploded onto the national radar with his rare blend of size, speed, and polish. Considered a unicorn at the position, Carson is not just the top tight end prospect—he’s a top-10 overall recruit in the country, regardless of position. His unique skill set has led analysts to compare him to NFL stars like Kyle Pitts and Brock Bowers, both of whom were first-round draft picks and offensive game-changers in college.
Now, four major programs are jockeying for position in what has become one of the most important recruiting battles of the cycle. For Florida, landing Carson would send shockwaves through the recruiting world and represent a massive win in a new SEC landscape filled with elite competition.
Since taking over in Gainesville, head coach Billy Napier has made it clear that the tight end position is a cornerstone of his offensive philosophy. His time under Nick Saban and later at Louisiana showed an emphasis on utilizing tight ends as both blockers and receiving threats in multiple formations. That blueprint has carried over to Florida, where the Gators have increasingly recruited and schemed around elite talent at the position.
Napier’s staff has emphasized their tight end usage to Carson throughout the recruiting process, showing detailed film breakdowns, advanced analytics, and mock game plans that would make him a featured weapon from Day 1. Florida has made it no secret: Carson would be their offensive focal point. The coaching staff believes he has the potential to be a Heisman-caliber playmaker in their system, much like Kyle Pitts was under Dan Mullen in 2020.
Florida tight ends coach Russ Callaway has been leading the charge, building a close relationship with Carson and his family. Carson has already taken two unofficial visits to Gainesville, including a stop during Florida’s spring game, where he was spotted speaking with quarterback DJ Lagway for over 30 minutes post-game. The buzz around that meeting ignited speculation about the possibility of Carson teaming up with Florida’s elite 2024 signal-caller in what could be a lethal combination.
With the Gators now boasting a top-5 Blue-Chip Ratio and one of the SEC’s best talent pipelines, they can credibly sell a future where Carson is the centerpiece of a national championship-caliber offense.
If there’s one school that might have the upper hand in proximity and tradition, it’s LSU. Baton Rouge is only a short flight from Carson’s home in Texas, and the Tigers have a long-standing reputation for developing elite offensive weapons, especially in the passing game. LSU tight end Mason Taylor, for example, emerged as one of the top pass-catchers in the SEC during his freshman and sophomore years.
Head coach Brian Kelly has deep roots in tight end development. At Notre Dame, he helped produce NFL-caliber tight ends like Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Eifert, and Cole Kmet. LSU has pitched Carson on the idea that he could be the missing link in an already explosive offense, giving the Tigers a matchup nightmare in the middle of the field.
Carson recently named LSU as one of his “dream schools” growing up, and his connection with tight ends coach Brad Davis has only deepened during multiple visits. The Tigers are leaning into their SEC pedigree, elite facilities, and recent College Football Playoff appearances to sell a “win now” vision that’s hard to ignore.
No program in the country has leaned more aggressively into NIL opportunities than Texas A&M. The Aggies have made it clear that they not only want Carson—they’re willing to do whatever it takes within NCAA guidelines to make College Station his home. Backed by a deep-pocketed booster base and a strong NIL collective, A&M has presented Carson with a compelling package that includes both financial incentives and a long-term personal brand development plan.
Jimbo Fisher and his staff have emphasized staying close to home and becoming a state icon, something that has appealed to Carson’s family and inner circle. The Aggies have also made strides in showcasing how they would tailor their offense to feature him heavily, including multiple tight end sets and the freedom to line up as a wideout in space.
Though Texas A&M has struggled with consistency on the field, their recent recruiting classes have been loaded with talent, and they’ve told Carson he could be the glue that holds it all together. If the Aggies can offer a stable vision for their quarterback situation, they could be a dark horse to land the elite tight end.
Nebraska may not be the traditional powerhouse in the same tier as Florida or LSU, but under head coach Matt Rhule, the Cornhuskers have rebranded themselves as one of the most aggressive recruiting forces in the country. Their rise into Carson’s final four shocked many analysts, but a closer look reveals why the Big Ten program has gained traction.
First, Nebraska’s tight end development has taken off. Thomas Fidone, a former five-star, has become one of the most targeted weapons in the Cornhuskers’ system, and Rhule has continued to build his offense around mismatches at the tight end position. Nebraska has also built a strong bond with Carson’s family, focusing on player development, character-building, and long-term life after football.
Carson’s official visit to Lincoln blew him away, according to insiders. He reportedly raved about the facilities, the player-first culture, and the support systems in place. Rhule’s pitch centers around being “the face of the rebuild” and having the opportunity to turn Nebraska back into a national contender with Carson as the centerpiece.
Though Nebraska may be the underdog in this race, they’ve positioned themselves better than any non-SEC school in recent memory.
Carson has made it clear that he will not rush his decision. He plans to take all five official visits, with Florida, LSU, Texas A&M, and Nebraska already locked in. The fifth and final visit is still being debated, with Georgia and USC both making late pushes. A decision is expected to come either during the Early Signing Period in December 2026 or possibly at the All-American Bowl in January 2027.
Sources close to the recruitment believe Florida and LSU are neck and neck, with A&M not far behind and Nebraska as a very real wild card. Much will depend on the on-field product this fall. Carson wants to see how these teams use their current tight ends, what their offensive identities look like, and how stable their quarterback situations are entering 2027.
Carson’s recruitment isn’t just about one player—it’s about momentum, perception, and leverage. For Florida, winning this battle could signal to the rest of the SEC that the Gators are fully back. It would validate the work Napier and his staff have put into rebuilding the program, and it could spark a domino effect among other elite 2027 recruits.
For LSU, it’s about maintaining their status as an SEC West heavyweight. For Texas A&M, it’s about proving that NIL-driven recruiting can also yield on-field results. And for Nebraska, it’s about proving they belong in these conversations at all.
No matter where Malachi Carson ends up, his decision will shake the landscape of college football recruiting. And until pen meets paper, expect Florida, LSU, Texas A&M, and Nebraska to go all in on what could be the crown jewel of the 2027 class.
