For weeks, it looked like the Florida Gators were on the verge of securing one of the most coveted prospects in the 2025 recruiting cycle—five-star edge rusher Trenton Henderson. But as decision day nears, momentum has shifted dramatically. Once seen as the heavy favorite to land Henderson, Florida is now trailing behind one of its fiercest rivals: LSU.
Henderson, a dominant edge defender with elite explosiveness and prototype size, is set to announce his college decision on Wednesday, July 2nd. According to recruiting insiders Steve Wiltfong and Shea Dixon of On3 Sports, the Tigers are now in the driver’s seat, with both analysts logging expert predictions for LSU to land the talented pass rusher. The reversal of momentum has left many Gators fans frustrated and bewildered—especially considering how strong Florida’s position once appeared.
The turning point? It wasn’t a disastrous visit or a poor showing by Florida’s coaching staff. In fact, quite the opposite.
Henderson visited Gainesville on June 13th for an extended weekend stay, and by all accounts, the trip was a home run. The five-star spent time bonding with coaches, connecting with current players, and even gave Gator Nation reason for optimism with a series of glowing social media posts. “Gator Nation is different,” Henderson tweeted at the time, followed by a string of pictures in Florida gear that seemed to signal he was leaning heavily toward the Orange and Blue.
So what changed?
According to multiple reports and behind-the-scenes whispers, it appears that Florida’s recent dip in momentum isn’t due to anything Henderson saw or experienced during his visit—but rather what he didn’t see in the aftermath. Simply put, the Gators may have lost critical ground due to a delay in follow-up communication and lingering uncertainty around NIL support. Meanwhile, LSU has reportedly ramped up their efforts in both areas, presenting a stronger, more immediate path forward for the five-star prospect.
That’s what has many in Gator Nation infuriated. For a program that appeared to check every box during Henderson’s visit, letting a recruit of this caliber slip away—especially to a bitter SEC rival—stings on multiple levels. It’s not just about talent; it’s about optics, momentum, and the ability to close on elite prospects when the ball is already on your side of the field.
Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that Florida’s recruiting efforts under Billy Napier had been trending upward. Henderson was seen as a crown jewel in the class and a signal that the Gators could hold their own against the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and LSU on the recruiting trail. Now, with just days until Henderson’s announcement, that narrative is under serious threat.
If Florida can pull off a last-minute flip, it would be a massive recruiting win and a momentum booster heading into fall camp. But if Henderson dons purple and gold on July 2nd, it’ll serve as a painful reminder: in the cutthroat world of SEC recruiting, even small missteps can come at a massive cost.