The Florida Gators hosted roughly 15 recruits on campus this weekend including 2026 running back commit Carsyn Baker. The Georgia native pledged to UF on June 13th, marking the 3rd commitment of the weekend and 8th in the last two weeks.
Florida wasn’t thought to be a major contender in Baker’s recruitment until his official visit to Gainesville on May 16th, where the Gators’ staff impressed the 6’0, 195 pound running back.
“When I came and gave Florida a chance, they really understood the standards I had for them,” Baker told Gator Country. “I kept getting with Coach Juluke and the coaching staff, the way they kept recruiting me hard I really liked.”
After his OV to Florida, Baker cancelled his official visits to Clemson and Ohio State, opening the door for the Gators to make the final push.
“They never changed up on me and I really loved it a lot,” Baker said on his commitment. “They were very pumped up and excited about it. Coach [Juluke] ran up to me and gave me a big hug.”
Florida running back coach Jabbar Juluke played a huge role in Baker’s recruitment. Juluke doesn’t shy away from playing freshmen running backs, as seen with Montrell Johnson, Trevor Etienne, and Jadan Baugh over the years. The opportunity for early playing time appealed to Baker.
”You can get early playing time with Coach Juluke,” Baker said. “He’s a great coach and a great developer. It appeals to me very well that I can come and play as a freshman.”
After a sluggish start to the 2026 class, the Gators have gone on a tear in the month of June and now hold the 30th ranked class according to 247Sports. After spending the weekend recruiting some of Florida’s highest targets, Baker believes the Gators will finish with a top 10 class.
“We’re most definitely going to end with a top ten class, trying to push for that top five spot,” Baker said.
Baker rushed for 1,282 yards and 13 touchdowns throughout his junior season at Langston Hughes and ranks as the 187th overall player in the 2026 class.