Running back position breakdown

With the spring evaluation period ongoing, the Florida coaching staff is out seeing and talking to a ton of prospects around the country.

Over the next two weeks, GatorCountry.com is going to break down each position and talk about the prospects that the Gators have offered and are close to offering.

We will not talk about the quarterback position since the Gators already have their man in Will Grier.

First up is the running back position, where Florida is looking to take two running backs and possibly a fullback.

Norcross (Ga.) High running back Myles Autry

Florida visited the Georgia prospect this spring but the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Autry has yet to return the favor. Right now Ohio State, Florida State and Georgia Tech are recruiting Autry the hardest.

Cedartown (Ga.) High running back Nick Chubb

The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Chubb visited Florida this spring but the Gators did not make his top four. Georgia looks to be the destination for Chubb.

Miami (Fla.) Central running back Dalvin Cook

The Florida commitment says he is solid to Florida and is recruiting players to join him in Gainesville. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Cook is still a hot commodity though and his recruitment will not be over until he signs.

New Orleans (La.) St Augustine running back Leonard Fournette

Despite Florida having a commitment from Fournette’s teammate, it looks like Fournette is LSU’s to lose with Alabama close on the heals for the 6-foot, 215-pounder. Florida is still trying to get a visit from the Louisiana prospect.

Imperial (Ca.) High running back Royce Freeman

The 6-foot, 210-pound Freeman picked up an offer from Florida this spring and has said he will visit the Gators this summer or fall. Right now, Freeman admits that UCLA is recruiting him the hardest.

Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter’s Prep running back Jonathan Hillman

Hillman received a visit from Florida this spring but Hillman still says he isn’t sure if he will even visit Florida. Right now, Florida is on the outside looking in for the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Hilliman.

Hendersonville (Tn.) Beech Senior running back Jalen Hurd

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Hurd is committed to Tennessee and is pretty solid.

Gainesville (Fla.) High running back Tony James

Florida is a school that James says he talks to a lot. Right now, Florida likes the 5-foot-10. 163-pound James but aren’t pushing hard for him just yet.

Immokalee (Fla.) High running back Dee Johnson

The 5-foot-9, 160-pound Johnson tried committing to Florida this fall but the Gators aren’t ready to go in his direction right now.

Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage running back Sony Michel

Michel is a solid Georgia commitment and it doesn’t look like the Gators will get back in the picture for the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Michel.

Oakley (Ca.) Freedom running back Joe Mixon

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Mixon has Florida in his top 16 but the California product is nowhere close to being close to a decision. Florida is hoping to get Mixon on campus this summer or fall.

Brooklyn (N.Y.) Erasmus Hall Campus running back Curtis Samuel

Samuel just recently cut his list to a top 4 of Notre Dame, Miami, Rutgers and Ohio State but the Gators are trying their hardest to get in the mix for the 6-foot, 185-pound Samuel. Samuel is a prospect Florida is trying to get on campus soon.

Tuscaloosa (Al.) Northridge running back Bo Scarbrough

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Scarbrough is one of the most interesting prospects to watch moving forward. Scarbrough is an Alabama commitment but says he will visit the Gators this summer and this fall. He admits that if anyone could steal him from Alabama, it would be Florida.

Oxford (Al.) High running back Racean Thomas

Thomas looks to be headed to Auburn as the Gators have cooled off on the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Thomas.

Durham (N.C.) Hillside running back Donte Williams

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Williams received a visit from Florida two weeks ago and the Gators have turned the heat up on Williams of late. Florida is trying to get Williams on campus at Florida this summer.

Miami (Fla.) Central running back Joe Yearby

Yearby is Dalvin Cook’s teammate but a Miami commitment is the 5-foot-9, 185-pounder. Florida isn’t recruiting Yearby that hard right now.

 

Here a few prospects who do not have a Florida offer but could earn one this summer.

St. Petersburg (Fla.) Admiral Farragut Academy fullback Cortavious Givens

The 5-foo-11, 215-pound Givens has admitted to being a huge Florida fan and is begging for an offer. Givens will camp this summer with Florida and could earn the offer than.

Havelock (S.C.) High running back Derrell Scott

Scott was visited by Florida during the evaluation period. Florida wants the 5-foot-10, 181-pound Scott to camp before an offer will be given to him.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.