Baseball Inks Historical 2026 Signing Class With Top 50 Ranking Nationally

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida baseball is excited to announce the additions of Lukas McDowell, Jack Wilhoit, Josh Friedlander, Cannon Koronka, Colin Slep, Dominic Demarzo, Parker Reavis, Holden Barco, MJ Hough, Mark Metcalf, Raymond Llanes and Chris Reali to the Ospreys' 2026 signing class.

For the first time in program history, North Florida signed a top 50 (No. 47) recruiting class in the nation, according to Perfect Game. UNF's 2026 class ranked higher than several Power Four programs, including Duke, Michigan, Penn State, Nebraska, Virginia Tech and Boston College.

"We are excited for the first top 50 recruiting class in the history of North Florida baseball," UNF assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Brad Wilkerson said. "The motivation these players have to reach their full potential has been on full display throughout the recruiting process. We know their intentions are to be champions for UNF baseball."

Lukas McDowell
Hometown: Kingston, Ontario
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-9
Weight: 245
High School: Northern Pre-University

PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
McDowell's fastball velocity has increased 16 MPH since 2022, topping out at 94 MPH … He's described by Perfect Game as a prospect with an extra-large frame with long limbs who controls body very well for size … Keeps delivery fairly simple with a full arm swing and a high three-quarters arm slot … Good sinking action on the fastball and works downhill on release … Flashed a changeup to a left-handed hitter at 85 MPH … Played club ball for the Canada Reds Baseball Academy.

Jack Wilhoit
Hometown: Boca Raton, Fla.
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-4
Weight: 185
High School: St. John Paul II Academy

PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
Wilhoit's fastball velocity has increased 17 MPH since 2022, topping out at 92 MPH … In three seasons at St. John Paull II Academy, Wilhoit has posted a 9-9 record in 39 total appearances, tallying 130 strikeouts and a 2.99 ERA … He notched a 2.86 ERA in both his freshman and junior seasons … As a junior in 2025, he registered career-highs with 63.2 innings pitched and 70 strikeouts.

Josh Friedlander
Hometown: Boynton Beach, Fla.
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Class: Freshman
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170
High School: Park Vista HS

PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
Friedlander's fastball velocity has increased 21 MPH since 2021, topping out at 94 MPH … In his junior season at Park Vista HS, he posted a 3.03 ERA in 12 appearances and 30 innings pitched … Tallied 41 strikeouts in 109 batters faced with a .202 opposing batting average in 2025.

Cannon Koronka
Hometown: Clermont, Fla.
Position: MIF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-3
Weight: 170
High School: The First Academy

PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
Koronka has played three seasons for The First Academy's varsity team … Posted .556 slugging, .431 on-base percentage and a .333 batting average as a junior in 2025 … Tallied 84 at bats, 28 runs, 18 RBI, five doubles and four home runs over three seasons … Registered five multi-hit games and stole 12 bases in 2025 … Competed for the Toronto Blue Jays Scout Team.

Colin Slep
Hometown: Waxhaw, N.C.
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-0
Weight: 185
High School: Marvin Ridge HS

PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
Slep played his first season of varsity baseball as a junior in 2025 … Posted a 0.00 ERA in 11 appearances with a 7-1 record … Competed for the SBA Bolts National Team.

Dominic Demarzo
Hometown: Wellington, Fla.
Position: C / 3B
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-1
Weight: 208
High School: Cardinal Newman HS

PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
Demarzo has played two seasons for Cardinal Newman's varsity team… Totaled a 1.076 OPS, .550 slugging, a .469 on-base percentage … Compiled a .370 batting average in 61 games played with 228 plate appearances… Totaled 189 at bats, 70 hits, 48 RBI, 46 runs, 27 walks, 18 doubles and four home runs … Registered a .333 batting average or better in two seasons at Cardinal Newman … Recorded 35 hits and 24 RBI in both his sophomore and junior seasons … Notched a 1.076 OPS as a sophomore and a .973 OPS as a junior … Competed for the Toronto Blue Jays Scout Team.

Parker Reavis
Hometown: Conway, S.C.
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-10
Weight: 150
High School: Carolina Forest HS

PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
Reavis' fastball velocity has increased 20 MPH since 2021, topping out at 92 MPH … In three seasons on the varsity team at Carolina Forest High School, Reavis has posted a 13-3 record in 24 total appearances, tallying 106 strikeouts and a 0.99 ERA … Faced 331 batters in three seasons, allowing just 46 hits and a .196 opposing batting average … Hasn't allowed a double or triple in high school and has allowed just two home runs and 17 walks in 331 batters faced … Competes for the South Charlotte Panthers Marucci Team.

Holden Barco
Hometown: Tavares, Fla.
Position: 1B
Bats/Throws: L/L
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185
High School: TNXL Academy

PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
Barco competed for TNXL Academy and the Canes American 18U Team … TNXL Academy is designed to prepare elite-level players for collegiate and professional baseball careers … It's an intensive training program where student-athletes typically complete their academics online.

MJ Hough
Hometown: Lake Placid, Fla.
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: S/R
Height: 5-10
Weight: 150
High School: St. John Neumann

PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
Hough posted a 3-3 record as a sophomore in 2024, tallying 10 appearances and 39 innings pitched … Shoved for a 1.44 ERA as a sophomore, notching 48 strikeouts and 11 walks in 157 batters faced … Allowed a .191 opposing batting average and a .278 on-base percentage … Described by Perfect Game as having a mid-3/4's arm slot on the mound with a rotational delivery, compact arm action that hides the ball well and creates deception … Fastball had hard late running action into right-handed hitters … Slider is a good second pitch with good power and bite … Named to the Uncommitted Showcase Top Prospect List .. Competes for the Florida Burn Scout Team.

Mark Metcalf
Hometown: Tallahassee, Fla.
Position: MIF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-10
Weight: 150
High School: Sarasota HS

PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
Metcalf played in 30 games with 97 at bats and 117 plate appearances as a junior at Sarasota High School in 2025 … Posted a .968 OPS, .515 slugging, .453 on-base percentage and a .361 batting average in 2025 … Struck out just nine times in 117 plate appearances as a junior … Tallied 35 hits, 30 runs, 16 RBI, six doubles, three triples and one home run last season … Competed for the Toronto Blue Jays Scout Team.

Raymond Llanes
Hometown: Seffner, Fla.
Position: OF
Bats/Throws: L/L
Height: 5-9
Weight: 170
High School: Alonso HS

PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
Llanes has played three seasons for the Alonso High School varsity team … Has totaled .464 slugging, .457 on-base percentage and a .346 batting average … In three seasons, tallied 179 at bats, 62 hits, 51 runs, 25 walks, 21 RBI, 14 doubles, two triples and one home run … Registered a .324 batting average or better and a .417 on-base percentage or better in each season at Alonso.

Chris Reali
Hometown: Fleming Island, Fla.
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190
High School: Trinity Christian Academy

PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
Reali made seven appearances with 19.2 innings pitched as a junior at Trinity Christian Academy in 2025 … Allowed just five runs and three earned runs … Faced 89 batters and struck out 20 of them … Gave up just nine walks en route to a .238 opposing batting average and a .315 on-base percentage … Perfect Game described Reali with a side step into his delivery – with belt-high lift and clean short-arm action … Athletic delivery getting down the slope with a tight 11-5 medium depth curveball in the high-60s … Simple delivery that he repeats well with command of both pitches.

Baseball Inks Historical 2026 Signing Class With Top 50 Ranking Nationally

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