The Florida Gators have long been a powerhouse in college football, producing elite NFL talent and dominating the SEC landscape for decades. While the program is often celebrated for its quarterbacks and defenses, it’s also had a rich history of running back talent. From legendary names to high-profile recruits, here are the top 10 running back commits in Florida Gators football history.
—
**1. Emmitt Smith (Class of 1987)**
There’s no debate here—Emmitt Smith is the crown jewel of Florida’s running back history. A five-star recruit out of Escambia High School in Pensacola, Smith committed to the Gators with high expectations and didn’t disappoint. He broke multiple school rushing records before becoming the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
—
**2. Fred Taylor (Class of 1994)**
Another Florida native, Taylor was a dominant force for Steve Spurrier’s Gators. He helped lead Florida to its first national championship in 1996 and went on to have a long, productive NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
—
**3. Lorenzo Lingard (Class of 2018, transferred in 2020)**
Though his impact on the field at Florida was limited, Lingard was a 5-star prospect and one of the top running backs in the country when he originally committed to Miami. His transfer to Florida added serious depth and hype to the Gators’ backfield, even if he didn’t meet expectations due to injuries and depth chart battles.
—
**4. Kelvin Taylor (Class of 2013)**
The son of Fred Taylor, Kelvin came to Gainesville with legacy and potential. A high 4-star recruit, he finished his Gator career with over 2,000 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, becoming one of the more productive backs of the 2010s.
—
**5. Mike Gillislee (Class of 2009)**
A 4-star commit from DeLand, Florida, Gillislee waited patiently behind NFL-bound talent before breaking out in his senior season with over 1,100 rushing yards. He was the first Gator in eight years to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.
—
**6. Matt Jones (Class of 2012)**
Jones was a physical back with great vision, bringing toughness to the Gators’ offense during his tenure. Injuries hampered parts of his college career, but his talent was undeniable, and he was later drafted by Washington.
—
**7. Chris Rainey (Class of 2007)**
Though often used in a hybrid role, Rainey was a top RB recruit and a dynamic playmaker during Florida’s Urban Meyer era. His speed and versatility helped Florida win a national title in 2008.
—
**8. Demarkcus Bowman (Class of 2020, transferred in)**
A 5-star recruit out of Lakeland, Bowman initially committed to Clemson but transferred to Florida with major expectations. While he didn’t make a big on-field impact before transferring again, his commitment was still a massive win in recruiting circles.
—
**9. Lamical Perine (Class of 2016)**
A solid 3-star recruit, Perine outperformed his ranking with a steady, productive career in Gainesville. He rushed for over 2,400 yards and 22 touchdowns during his time with the Gators.
—
**10. Trevor Etienne (Class of 2022)**
The younger brother of Travis Etienne, Trevor arrived at Florida as a 4-star recruit and quickly became a key piece in the offense. His explosive style and big-play ability made him one of the most exciting young backs in recent Gator memory before transferring to Georgia.
—
From Heisman contenders to quiet contributors, the Gators have seen a wide spectrum of running back talent. As recruiting continues to evolve, Florida fans can expect even more future legends in the backfield.