2025 4-star OT Peyton Joseph commits to Florida: ‘They are about to skyrocket up the SEC’

Early on in his recruitment, Florida was not high on the list of Fort Valley (Ga.) Houston County four-star offensive tackle Peyton Joseph. He did not know much about the Gators’ coaches and offense, but that changed once he started taking trips to Gainesville. 

Joseph has been to Florida four times, including for the Gators’ game against Tennessee this fall. The visit played a crucial role in the 6-foot-3, 280-pound prospect announcing his commitment to Florida.

“That is really when Florida moved up,” Joseph told On3. “I talked to my mom after that visit about Florida and I saw it as a fit. I saw the team, I saw the offense, I saw how everyone worked together and I left that visit knowing Florida was the school.” 

The Gators won out for Joseph over the Volunteers and Florida State. Florida originally offered him at the end of his freshman year and have been in pursuit since then. 

According to Joseph, Florida’s “great atmosphere” quickly stood out to him, as well as the program’s culture. The No. 18 player in Georgia also likes how the Gators’ fans show their dedication to the program by supporting the players and knowing about top recruiting targets. 

“The main reasons I chose Florida are the education they offer because I am big on academics, the culture created by the tradition of the school and the tradition of the fans and the bond between the team and the players,” said Joseph, the No. 123 overall prospect and No. 5 interior offensive lineman in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking.

“I have been around the team and I love how they hang together, how they are close with one another and that made a big impact on me. They all work together, it is a family culture and I love how the full team is bonded together. That is something I want to be around.”

Joseph believes in Florida’s coaches

Landing Joseph marks a big win for Florida’s 2025 recruiting class. He has built close bonds with multiple members of the Gators’ staff, including head coach Billy Napier and offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Rob Sale.

Joseph called Napier a “great guy” and someone that he wants to be around while playing college football. Additionally, the four-star trusts the way that Florida’s head man is leading the program. 

“He is pushing his players and his players push him,” Joseph said. “He has a plan, he is a smart coach and he is all about developing his players. Coach Napier has had some great talks with me and I like him a lot. We have chopped it up a lot, he has been pushing for me and that meant a lot. Coach Napier has Florida going in the right direction and I believe in him. I have watched the players work out and with that bond, they are about to skyrocket up the SEC.” 

Meanwhile, Joseph and Sale have a strong connection. The Georgia native clearly remembers when the Gators assistant texted him at midnight on the first day coaches could contact recruits in the 2025 class. 

“He has always been a guy pushing for me and recruiting me hard,” Joseph said. “What I like most about coach Sale is how real he is. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything to me. He is a great guy who wants to develop his players mentally and physically. Coach Sale is a guy I want to work with, get developed by and learn from.”