Five to Follow: Running Back
The 2016 recruiting cycle is in full swing and Florida currently sits with eight public commitments. The next big event on the calendar as far as prospects are concerned is the spring evaluation period, which runs from April 15 through the end of May. This week Inside the Gators will unveil a position-by-position look at the top pre-spring targets in our Five to Follow series.
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Up today are the running backs.
In 2015 the Gators were able to add two Rivals250 members in Jordan Cronkrite and Jordan Scarlett to an already solid , but thin, stable of backs currently on campus. However the Gators are still hoping to add to their numbers at the position to create a rotation of runners like Jim McElwain did during his time at Alabama.
Look for the Gators to aim for one back in this recruiting cycle.
Here are five pre-spring top tier prospects to watch at the position.
Inside the Gators' pre-spring top five lists are based on national ranking and of course whether or not Florida is showing interest at this time. One player having an offer this early doesn't necessarily mean he will be a higher priority throughout the process. Therefore it doesn't mean he will be rated higher on our list. What you see here is solely the opinion of the staff of Inside the Gators and does not represent the opinion of the University of Florida or anyone associated with the Gator program.
Carlin Fils-Aime | Naples (Fla.) | 5-foot-11, 175-pounds
What was Said: "Growing up, I was a Gator. I liked the Gators, but then they didn't really show me any interest at the beginning. At that point, I started liking a lot of other schools as well."
Related: Mulling offseason visits
Competition: Miami and Georgia
Watch video highlights of Fils-Aime by clicking here.Click The Skinny: This three-star may be the best back in the state this year, but is still flying a bit under the radar after his junior season was cut well short due to an injury. Fils-Aime has really visited a lot of schools at this time, but his recruitment is still in its early stages. Miami is likely the team to beat heading into spring as he lives with his teammate and Hurricanes commit Tyler Byrd.Here to view this Link.
Elijah Holyfield | College Park (Ga.) Woodward Academy | 5-foot-10, 195-pounds
What was Said: "It's between Notre Dame and a couple of other schools for my final two official visits. I know Tennessee, Florida and Auburn are schools that for sure will be getting official visits and then three more schools that are kind of in the race for the top five. They're in it, I'll just have to see."
Related: Four-star talks Florida visit
Competition: Auburn, Notre Dame, and Tennessee
Watch video highlights of Holyfield by clicking here.Click The Skinny: This Rivals250 member is looking to narrow things down to a top five sometime over the next few weeks. Heading into the spring Auburn is thought to have the edge, and is the school he's visited the most. He is coming off a visit to UF earlier this spring, and hears from running back coach Tim Skipper as well as offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, who Holyfield has known since he was at Michigan. Here to view this Link.
Travis Homer | West Palm Beach (Fla.) Oxbridge Academy | 5-foot-9, 187-pounds
What was Said: "I'm really focused on Florida State, Florida, Miami, UCF and Kentucky right now. I'm open to everybody that's recruiting me, but I'm looking for a school with a good business program and an active campus."
Related: From the Road: Travis Homer
Competition: Florida State and Miami
Watch video highlights of Homer by clicking here.Click The Skinny: The Gators offered this unranked back earlier this spring while on campus for a junior day. Homer compiled video game like numbers up last season against sub-par opponents. However this season's schedule is much more tested so Homer really has a chance to make a big name for himself this coming season if he can back up his junior campaign.Here to view this Link.
Tony Jones | Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy | 6-foot-1, 212-pounds
What was Said: "My parents still want me to go on other visits, but Notre Dame is me."
Related: It just felt right
Competition: Notre Dame Commit
Watch video highlights of Jones by clicking here.Click The Skinny: Jones is coming off his recent commitment to the Fighting Irish, but grew up a huge fan of the Florida Gators. It doesn't seem like the Gators were pushing hard before his commitment to the Irish, but if top target Elijah Holyfield starts to look like a long shot expect UF to turn their attention here. At a loaded program like IMG Academy Jones will have the luxury of many coaches coming by this spring and fall to see him.Here to view this Link.
Amir Rasul | Coral Gables (Fla.) | 5-foot-10, 188-pounds
What was Said: "It is another offer that I have been waiting on because Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey went there and they pretty much paved the way for me to want to go there and now Jordan Cronkrite and Jordan Scarlett are there and those were two guys that they were big on and I think I can go there and make a difference."
Related: Miami commit interested in Florida
Competition: Miami Commit and Florida State
Watch video highlights of Rasul by clicking here.Click The Skinny: The Gators extended an offer to this three-star back in February, and he's continued to pick up offer after offer heading into the start of spring ball. Though he is committed to Miami, Rasul is still keeping his options open and has interest in visiting UF and has already visited FSU this spring as well.Here to view this Link.
