The 2022 class looks like it will finally be the one that snaps the Gators’ two-year streak of not signing a high school running back.
UF is considered the leader for four-star Terrance Gibbs and is among the leaders for Kaytron Allen and Jamarion Miller. You’ve got to feel good about the Gators landing at least one of those guys. With Dameon Pierce likely gone after this season and the possibility for transfers out of the program, it’s possible that they could even sign multiple backs.
On Wednesday, Florida further increased its chances by offering Jaylon Glover, a three-star running back out of Lake Gibson High School in Lakeland.
Glover recently worked out for running backs coach Greg Knox. Knox and Dan Mullen liked what they saw from him enough to pull the trigger and issue their 25th running back offer for the 2022 class.
Despite having three higher-ranked running backs very much in play, Mullen assured Glover that he’s not just the Plan D in the event that they strikeout with the other three players. Mullen told him that they genuinely want him to be a part of this program.
Glover was also impressed by the intensity Knox showed during their workout.
“He’s a very fired-up guy, energetic,” Glover said. “His workouts and drills are definitely right up my alley and everything like that. I had a good time up there.”
Glover only stands at 5-foot-7, but his production in high school has far surpassed his stature. He ran for 1,592 yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2019 and followed that up by rushing for 1,588 yards and 31 touchdowns as a junior. He’s averaging 7.9 yards per carry for his career, and he’ll enter his senior season already owning Lake Gibson’s career rushing yardage record.
Knox views him as a versatile and dangerous athlete that they can use in a variety of ways, including in the slot, similar to the way they used Malik Davis and Nay’Quan Wright last season.
UF, though, faces an uphill battle in his recruitment by waiting until six months prior to the early signing day to offer him. Glover holds offers from 10 other Power Five schools, with Florida State considered the current favorite to land his signature.
It’s unlikely that he’ll take an official visit to Florida. He’s already officially visited Tennessee and South Carolina, and he has trips planned to Georgia Tech, Florida State and Utah over the next three weeks. That puts him right at the NCAA’s limit of five official visits, barring any last-minute cancelations.
Glover did say that he wants to visit UF’s campus at some point this summer and meet the coaches. He wants to make his college commitment in July or August.
“I’m definitely interested [in Florida],” Glover said. “I’m going to take it day-by-day. I definitely want to get to know them better and get questions answered.”