Gators Recruiting: Yes, No or Maybe for 2025 running backs

Another edition of Gators Online’s “Yes, No or Maybe” is live, with 2025 running backs being the focus.

Florida holds a commitment from Tampa (Fla.) Plant’s Waltez Clark but hopes to sign two backs.

Yes means UF is a major contender; no means we does not believe the Gators will come out on top, and maybe is for a prospect who likes them, but there is obvious room to make up.

Here is where everything stands on April 18.

YES

Chad Gasper, Fulshear (Texas) Katy Jordan
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 589 prospect | No. 49 running back | No. 98 junior in Texas
Notes: As of today, Gasper might be the most-likely addition for Jabbar Juluke. The Texas native met with Juluke during a school visit in January; however, it was last month’s visit in Gainesville that catapulted Florida into contender status. An official visit is set for May 31 as well. Gasper loves that Juluke is just as interested in him as a person and not only a player. He also spoke highly of his coaching style and connected with those on the roster. That connection with Juluke is arguably the No. 1 reason why the Gators are a major contender right now. Tennessee, Kansas, Houston and Memphis are others in the mix.

Tray Kinkle, Holly Springs (Miss.) High
On3 Industry Ranking: N/A
Notes: Kinkle was just offered last week following a first visit to campus; however, he wasted no time inserting the Gators into his top three and is planning an official visit for June. Billy Napier was the one who extended the offer in person and that made quite the impression. All in all, the Gators’ hospitality was the highlight for Kinkle and that included numerous staff members. Florida State and Auburn are additional top contenders, but this is a fluid and fast-rising recruitment. The Gators are a player though.

MAYBE

Ousmane Kromah, Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 69 prospect | No. 4 running back | No. 10 junior in Georgia
Notes: Kromah last visited Florida during the 2023 season and was supposed to visit the spring. To our knowledge, that never happened, but an official visit is set for June 14. And with Kromah living roughly three hours from Gainesville, in-season visits could take place too. This recruitment still feels fairly open and the Gators have been in pursuit since last summer. Florida State, Georgia and Miami are other schools on the official visit schedule, with the Seminoles and Dawgs likely positioned best.

Marquise Davis, Cleveland (Ohio) Heights
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 183 prospect | No. 11 running back | No. 8 junior in Ohio
Notes: Davis took a multi-day visit in March and then placed Florida in his top three. Also, in recent weeks, he told me an official visit was set but needed to be rescheduled for another date. As of Tuesday, that still has not happened and May 31 looks to be the only summer date available. The Gators definitely made the most of their first opportunity but will need another visit or two to come out on top. Those with an OV date are Michigan, Tennessee and Kentucky.

Michael Turner, North Richland Hills (Texas) Richland
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 97 prospect | No. 6 running back | No. 18 junior in Texas
Notes: Turner previously said Florida is one of roughly a half-dozen schools making him a top priority. I reconnected with him on Thursday and was told interest in UF is still high. An official visit is not scheduled yet, but Turner likes what he’s hearing from Jabbar Juluke. It’s a wait-and-see until that visit takes place though. SMU has secured an official visit date and is trending nicely in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. Oklahoma is one to monitor as well.

NO

Shekai Mills-Knight, Chattanooga (Tenn.) Baylor School
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 439 prospect | No. 36 running back | No. 13 junior in Tennessee
Notes: Knight visited UF at the start of spring and came away extremely impressed with Jabbar Juluke and Billy Napier. He said an official visit was going to be scheduled as well; however, after reading Thursday’s report from Steve Wiltfong, that no longer seems likely. Knight has five official visits scheduled and told Wiltfong that Ohio State, Ole Miss, Auburn, Alabama, Oregon and Tennessee are standing out.

Byron Louis, Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 176 prospect | No. 10 running back | No. 24 junior in Florida
Notes: Louis released a top 10 in December and the Gators offered on Jan. 25. Since then, there has not been much buzz. It’s early though and UF is the lone SEC program in Florida. It was a similar situation with former AH running back Mark Fletcher, as Florida came on late as a finalist. Sometimes it takes just one visit and it’s later in the cycle, so Louis could eventually get moved to the “maybe” category. Ohio State, Miami and Wisconsin will receive official visits in June.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

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