Elite RB Jerrick Gibson highly considering Florida Gators official visit

NASHVILLE, TENN. — When speaking with Gators Online roughly two weeks ago, elite running back Jerrick Gibson was unsure whether Florida would be receiving an official visit.

That is because the 2024 prospect is a former Gators commit who grew up in Gainesville. He has seen everything the school has to offer, so there is a whole lot of familiarity in place for the hometown school.

However, as we all know, the recruiting process can drastically change in the blink of an eye. Has anything changed regarding Gibson’s interest in taking an official visit to UF?

“The chances (of the Gators receiving an OV) are high still,” Gibson told GO’s Keith Niebuhr at the On3 NIL Elite Series presented by Mizuno. “It would be in the fall because it’s hard to get five OVs in for June.”

As it stands today, the Gators hold commitments from multiple running backs in Chauncey Bowens and Kahnen Daniels. Both prospects are ranked inside the On300 and officially visiting UF on June 16-18.

It’s not often when a school signs three ball carriers from one graduating class; however, when a prospect has the Florida ties and a skill set like Gibson’s, it’s not difficult to understand why the Gators are making a strong push.

“Me and the coach have talked about that already,” Gibson said. “He told me they got two games but are still aiming for me. I’m not really worried about that because at the end of the day, when you walk into a running back room, iron is going to sharpen iron at the end of the day.”

Recruiting Jerrick Gibson is a group effort from the Gators

The Gators staff member Gibson is referring to is running backs coach Jabbar Juluke.

“He’s a great guy. I like the way he coaches and holds his players accountable,” said Gibson. “Billy Napier, he’s also told me a plan they are graduating to to make the program better and get back to the old Florida ways.

“As you know, a couple of my guys went there. There is Will (Norman), Knijeah (Harris) is there, and they got a great chance at starting as true freshmen. That speaks a lot.”

We all know which boxes Florida checks for the No. 45 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking. But from the running back himself, what makes UF an intriguing option in his recruitment?

“It’s my hometown. I grew up watching them and wanting to go there,” Gibson said.

According to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine, Texas is trending as the major favorite with odds north of 90 percent. Five predictions are officially submitted for the Longhorns as well.

Texas, Georgia, Miami and Tennessee are Gibson’s other finalists. Each of them will receive an official visit ahead of a summer commitment.

“They got a fair shot like everybody else,” Gibson said of the Gators.

On3 Biography

Jerrick Gibson was a star long before he arrived at IMG Academy. He was known as one of the top youth football stars in the country before he emerged on the national recruiting scene as a freshman at Gainesville (Florida) High School, where he participated in the FBU Freshman All-America Bowl.

Gibson then transferred to Jonesboro (Georgia) Mundy’s Mill as a sophomore, where he earned all-region honors after rushing for 626 yards and four scores in seven tackles. He then transferred to IMG Academy ahead of his junior season.

At football powerhouse IMG, Gibson rushed for 608 yards and eight scores in 2022. Gibson also tests well in a combine setting, recording an electronically timed 4.57-second 40-yard dash, a 40.3-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot broad jump after his sophomore year in high school.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

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