Florida loses commitment from four-star lineman Peyton Joseph and major rival could be on deck

The recruiting trail can be a fickle beast, with decommitments being just as common as commitments – especially in 2024's NIL and transfer portal-obsessed college football environment.

As such, Florida head coach Bill Napier likely isn't surprised that four-star lineman recruit Peyton Joseph has decommitted. That won't make the loss sting any less, though, because Joseph is a big-time recruit.

According to 247Sports, the 6-foot-3, 309 rising senior from Warner Robins, Georgia, is the No. 6 interior offensive lineman in the 2025 class.

What would make things even worse for Napier and the Gators would be if Joseph ends up with an in-state rival. There is bad news on that front for Florida. Joseph took two unofficial visits to Florida State in early April and at the time, he spoke extremely highly of the Seminoles.

“The feeling was amazing getting back to Doak,” Joseph told On3 at the time. “Watching the coaches, all the players running through the (drills) was amazing to be around. It’s always good watching Coach (Alex) Atkins (FSU's offensive coordinator/offensive line coach). He’s one of those coaches that it’s him and the player working together. He’s a very good teacher. He’s a man of his word, and he teaches you the game the right way. And he’s a technician, so you can be the best player.”

Those comments came before Joseph deccomited from Florida, so it will be interesting to see if things progress between the big four-star and FSU from here on out. He has visited Tallahassee multiple times and now that Florida is off the table, it wouldn't be surprising to see the relationship between Joseph and the Seminoles continue to grow.