After having three running backs record over 400 rushing yards this season with a true freshman leading the way in Jadan Baugh, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Gators managed to sign three running backs in the Class of 2025. Waltez Clark, Byron Louis and Chad Gasper are three talented running backs that have totaled well over 1,000 rushing yards in their high school career. Next season, the three backs will join a running back room that should include Jadan Baugh, Treyaun Webb, Ja’Kobi Jackson and KD Daniels.
Waltez Clark
One of the most underrated running backs in the entire 2025 class is four-star running back Waltez Clark out of Plant High School. The Tampa native recorded 1,737 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns in three years at the varsity level, while also accounting for 1,326 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns through the air (had 18 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore). Clark also averaged 7.7 yards a carry in those three years.
“Yeah, just leadership, an incredible story. Love his family. I do think obviously a very historic storied program. There’s a ton of Gators in Tampa, right? There’s been a lot of great Gators there,” Billy Napier said on Clark. “He was a guy we identified early. Had him in seven-on-seven camp. Documented speed. A guy that just keeps getting bigger. He can run the full route tree. Good punt returner, kick returner. He’s been kind of the leader of the group, the steady, consistent voice there. He’s stuck with us. He’s got a bright future in front of him. We’re excited about him.”
As a junior, Clark became a three-phase player logging snaps at RB, WR and LB. Prior to that, Clark originally stepped on campus as a defensive player at Plant High School before earning snaps at running back the following season. It’s very likely that Clark wouldn’t be the No. 307 overall prospect and No. 22 running back in the Class of 2025 (247Sports rankings) if he only logged snaps at running back throughout his entire career. Running back coach Jabbar Juluke knows how to find hidden gems, and Clark is a running back that should thrive at the collegiate level as a primary running back. The numbers may not show it, but Clark is a top 10 running back in the 2025 class and maybe even better.
As a four-star prospect, Clark received a total of 38 scholarship offers while also participating in the 100-meter dash as a two-time district qualifier throughout high school (10.82 in the event). The 6-1, 194-pound running back is the longest tenured commit that went on to sign with the Gators, having been committed since September of 2023. Clark was pursued by teams like Alabama and Georgia, but the Gators had the four-star completely locked down from the start. The incoming freshman will also be one of 18 early enrollees for the Gators next month.
Byron Louis
The American Heritage running back was one of 10 prospects the Gators managed to flip beginning in November. The former FSU commit played at the Varsity level throughout his entire career at American Heritage while totaling 3,345 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns while averaging 7.6 yards a carry. Byron Louis also recorded 327 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns in 42 games played. However, the 5-11, 190-pound running back isn’t done yet and is currently set to face off against five-star WR signee Vernell Brown in the Class 4A state championship game on Dec. 13th.
Despite remaining committed to the Seminoles since September, Louis decided to take a surprise visit to the LSU game in Gainesville after the Gators continued to fight for the rival commit. After completely shocking the four-star running back after Florida’s big win against LSU, Louis decided to return the following week for the Ole Miss game which ended in the Gators becoming his leader after back-to-back ranked wins in the final few weeks of the season. After the announcement of Billy Napier’s return in 2025 on top of two-straight ranked wins at home, it was clear that the crystal balls to UF were only a matter of time.
The Plantation native was the No. 219 overall prospect and No. 17 running back as a four-star prospect, according to 247Sports composite rankings. Louis held a total of 29 offers and heavily considered teams like Georgia, Miami, Wisconsin and Florida State. Byron Louis will not be one of the 18 signees who early enroll in January.
Chad Gasper
Eight months after the commitment of Waltez Clark, the Gators landed their second commitment at the running back position in three-star running back Chad Gasper. If it wasn’t for Gasper suffering an unfortunate ACL injury three games into his senior season, it’s very likely Gasper would have been a higher rated prospect with more production. The 5-10, 200-pound running back totaled 1,566 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns to go along with 459 receiving yards and two more touchdowns through the air. Gasper accounted for 1,163 rushing yards and 21 of those touchdowns during his sophomore and junior seasons. Running back coach Jabbar Juluke swears by Chad Gasper and seems to be one of his favorites in the class.
Gasper was the No. 761 overall prospect and No. 58 running back in the Class of 2025, according to 247Sports composite rankings. Shortly after his commitment to Florida and taking an OV, communication settled down with other schools and it was clear Gasper was a Gator. The two-sport athlete from Katy Jordan High School, who also played baseball, held a total of 14 offers from teams like Arizona State, Baylor, Kansas and Houston. It’s possible we see Gasper move to receiver in the future, but nothing is set in stone as of this moment. Gasper will also be one of the 18 early enrollees in June.