Florida Gators 2024 Recruits to Know: Running Back

Florida brings back its one-two punch from the strong 2022 on-field product in Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne, but depth behind the SEC's top returning duo will be a storyline in 2023 and certainly beyond. 

When it comes to recruiting the next wave of prospects, head coach Billy Napier and his UF staff are focused on multiple running backs in working towards a potential two-running back haul by the end of the class of 2024 cycle.

Florida has one verbal commitment on board early on, in Chauncey Bowens, in addition to several offers and effective pushes inside the state as well as throughout SEC country. 

All Gators takes a closer look at the primary names to know at the running back position ahead of the spring evaluation period. 

Chauncey Bowens, Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) Benjamin

The only current UF pledge on the list may be the program's top priority from a retention standpoint, especially with the recent news of Georgia, Alabama and Ohio State courting Bowens with scholarship offers and visit inquiries. It appears the south Floridian will do his due diligence with Georgia and OSU in particular, always a cause for concern on the recruiting trail. However, Bowens is saying all the right things about his standing with Napier and Florida, even calculating the solidity of his pledge at 100 percent in early March. 

Beyond keeping an eye on the visits Bowens intends to take, which will include returning efforts to Gainesville by the way, it's his game that has captured the attention of most in the state and beyond. One source told AG that multiple SEC programs have Bowens as the top back on the board overall, thanks to his build, balance, vision, burst and three-down ability. Many observers believe he could be the most complete and/or college-ready back in the 2024 class all together. 

Jerrick Gibson, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy

A one-time Florida Gator commitment, the industry views Gibson as the nation's best back in the cycle thanks to breakout years at IMG Academy against its national schedule. It has resulted in a true national race for the Gainesville native, with programs holding buzz at different times -- yet Florida remains in the hunt. 

Texas holds a lot of the national news relative to the Floridian, a post held at different points by Georgia, Florida and others. Official visits will be the next big step for Gibson this summer, with Alabama and Tennessee joining the in-state options and Texas in the mix for trips and increased consideration. Texas and Texas A&M hosted the rising senior back in January. He has of course visited Florida the most to date, most recently for a game last fall. 

Can the UF staff stay in the mix for the former pledge looking throughout SEC country? It would be a relative surprise if the Gator hat wasn't at least on the table, though the buzz has been steadier elsewhere in the New Year.

Kahnen Daniels, West Point (Miss.) High

If there was a trend feature on AG, Daniels' name would be the one we would urge Gator fans to keep the closest eye on relative to a potential decision sooner rather than later. The Mississippian, who put together a stunning 2,000-plus yard campaign as a versatile junior at West Point, is fresh off of a mid-March visit to The Swamp with high marks for Napier's program. 

Daniels, who also played quarterback and wide receiver at times in 2022, is an ascending recruit who is continuously adding offers throughout trips through SEC and ACC country. He was offered by Napier and Jabbar Juluke while in Gainesville, emphasizing the likelihood that Florida not only sees Daniels rising on their board -- but the thought of taking multiple backs is the in-house goal. 

Alabama, Auburn, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and many others have offered Daniels in the New Year. Mississippi State and Oregon did so in 2022, creating early buzz in each direction, especially with the in-state Bulldogs, naturally.

Stacy Gage, Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas

At his third prep program within the state in as many years, Gage has been a national name to know at the position since he was an underclassman and Florida coaches old and new have been steady on his trail. Gage was a head-turner at IMG Academy in 2021 and blew up to national status, where Florida's previous staff was of course also involved. 

Now, UF's current group is hanging around in a battle that has long ballooned toward many conferences and programs. Oklahoma and Ohio State were the early favorites and remain involved for Gage, who is considering a return to Gainesville in short order. Miami, Colorado and others are also poised to get the thicker, downhill back on campus in the coming weeks. 

For those who would like to read more into social media than otherwise, Gage's current profile photo on the network is that of him in full Florida outfitting from a recent trip to Gainesville. 

Jordan Lyle, Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas

Surprise, surprise, STA is loaded in the backfield ahead of the 2023 season. The national power imported Gage to aid Lyle this fall, as each rising senior looks to lead the Raiders toward yet another ring. Not only will the two complement each other with reps en route to fresh legs, but these two backs operate as a complement to one another stylistically as well. Lyle may profile as a more complete, or modern type. 

On the recruiting front, Florida's push has become crystal clear for the in-state star of late. Lyle told multiple outlets Juluke is among the coaches he is in communication with the most. Florida State hosted him in January, Ohio State should be the next trip on the itinerary while Florida and Miami work in-state angles. There is also a sense this recruitment may be a longer battle compared to some others on this list. 

Honorable Mention:

Kameron Davis, Albany (Ga.) Dougherty

Anthony Carrie, Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day School

Tovani Mizell, Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic

John Garcia, Jr. contributed to this report.

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