Florida signs trio of offensive skill players to round out early signing day

Rounding out the offensive signees from Florida’s early signing day haul are a trio of skill players, running back Chad Gasper, receiver Muizz Tounkara and tight end Micah Jones.

Florida added signed a trio of three-star offensive skill position players on early signing day: Katy Jordan (Fulshear, Texas) running back [autotag]Chad Gasper[/autotag], Clear Springs (League City, Texas) wide receiver [autotag]Muizz Tounkara[/autotag] and Madison Central (Mississippi) tight end [autotag]Micah Jones[/autotag].

Gasper has been committed to Florida since May and stuck through the roughest parts of the cycle, shutting things down by August. He dealt with injuries during his senior year, finishing his four-year varsity career with 1,566 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also hauled in 40 catches for 459 receiving yards.

A member of that late string of flips for Florida in November, Tounkara chose the Gators over Arizona nine days out from the early signing period.

Tounkara played four years of varsity with Clear Spring but wasn’t a consistent piece of the offense until his junior year. He leaves high school with 73 catches for 853 yards and seven touchdowns, hauling in at least 30 catches each of his final two seasons. Five of Tounkara’s touchdowns came as a senior.

Both Tounkara and Gasper should be familiar with DJ Lagway as Texas natives.

Jones picked Florida over Arkansas, LSU, Mississippi State and Ole Miss over the summer and shut down his recruitment for the rest of the year. MSU and Ole Miss both stuck around for a bit being in-state options for Jones, but he was firmly locked in with the Gators, especially once Billy Napier’s return was confirmed.

All three players are expected on campus next month as early enrollees.

Recruiting Summary

RB Chad Gasper

Gasper is a consensus three-star recruit, ranked the highest by Rivals at No. 43 among running backs. The 247Sports composite, which considers all for major recruiting services, puts him at No. 761 overall and No. 58 at his position, while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 735 and 58, respectively.

He runs with physicality and can juke a defender in the open field with a single cut, but Gasper has played in a passing offense for most of his career. That should have him decently prepared to pass block and catch balls out of the backfield, which could get him playing time despite being part of a three-player class at his position.

WR Muizz Tounkara

Tounkara is a consensus three-star recruit, ranked the highest by 247Sports at No. 71 among receivers in the class of 2025. The 247Sports composite puts him at No. 788 overall and No. 114 at his position, while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 694 and 114, respectively.

“Tall, long, lean, and athletic with a longer stride and corresponding build-up speed that influences field-stretching ability and return game juice,” 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks wrote in a July report. “Experience in all three phases with snaps at corner facing Texas 6A competition in Houston metro. Capable of winning contested throws in traffic thanks to frame, high-pointing acumen, and body control in the air.

“Capable of go-get-it grabs against overmatched high school defenders. Looks tough on tape with willingness to work the middle of the field and affect the screen/perimeter run games as a blocker. Still honing route-running snap/technique, but possesses the twitch to foster consistent late-separating ability and top-of-the-route pop. Arrow points up as senior year looms. Projects to P4 level with physical tools and functional athleticism to become an impact player who possesses ample long-term upside.”

Tounkara has the size that Billy Napier has been looking for at receiver. He’s 6-foot-3.5-inches tall and 195 pounds, which could give him an edge over smaller receivers on the roster when his time comes.

TE Micah Jones

Jones is a consensus three-star recruit, ranked the highest by Rivals at No. 27 among tight ends in the class of 2025. The 247Sports composite puts him at No. 637 overall and No. 33 at his position, while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 588 and 31, respectively.

He has good hands for a tight end and is a big-bodied target who can make an impact in short-to-medium-range situations. He could end up being a red-zone threat for the Gators. The run blocking is still developing but there are positive signs there.

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Florida football’s Grill in the Ville event visitor’s list

Here’s a look at many of the names expected to be in Gainesville on Saturday for Grill in the Ville.

Florida football’s annual summer recruiting event, Grill in the Ville, is set to kick off on Saturday with a plethora of prep prospects from the 2025 and 2025 classes set to arrive in Gainesville.

The function offers an opportunity to spend more time around the coaches and staff while also getting some personal time in a more casual setting in comparison to a typical unofficial visit.

Among the uncommitted names from the 2025 cycle expected to be in attendance are four-star linebacker [autotag]Ty Jackson[/autotag], three-star [autotag]Derry Norris[/autotag], three-star defensive lineman [autotag]Jarquez Carter[/autotag], defensive lineman [autotag]Joseph Mbatchou[/autotag], three-star wide receiver [autotag]Naeshaun Montgomer[/autotag]y. Defensive linemen [autotag]Zavion Hardy[/autotag] and [autotag]Rashod Bradley[/autotag] represent a pair of JUCO prospects who will also be present.

The Gators are also expected to host a handful of 2025 commitments, including four-star [autotag]Vernell Brown III[/autotag], four-star [autotag]Waltez Clark[/autotag], four-star [autotag]Jalen Wiggins[/autotag], four-star [autotag]Myles Johnson[/autotag], three-star [autotag]Chad Gasper[/autotag], three-star [autotag]Tae’shaun Gelsey[/autotag] and three-star [autotag]Jeramiah McCloud[/autotag].

Targets for the 2026 cycle who have submitted an RSVP are tight end [autotag]JC Anderson[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Camden Jensen[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Landen Miree[/autotag], offensive lineman Samuel Roseborough, offensive lineman [autotag]Parker Pritchett[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Chancellor Barclay[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Chancellor Campbell[/autotag], defensive lineman [autotag]Kendall Guervil[/autotag], defensive lineman [autotag]James Johnson[/autotag], safety [autotag]Demetres Samuel[/autotag], defensive back [autotag]J’Zavien Currence[/autotag], defensive back [autotag]Jorden Edmonds[/autotag] and athlete [autotag]Devonte Anderson[/autotag].

One of Florida’s two current commitments in the 2026 class, four-star defensive back [autotag]Jaelen Waters[/autotag], is also expected to be present.

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Three-star RB leaves positive reviews for Florida after recent visit

Florida football made a great impression on this Lone Star State recruit during his recent visit.

The Florida Gators are moving up the list of top choices for a highly regarded three-star running back after his latest official visit ended with smiles on everyone’s faces.

Running back [autotag]Chad Gasper[/autotag] made a road trip to Gainesville to watch the football team play a scrimmage during its spring practice on Saturday, leaving a positive review in an interview with Gators Online.

Gasper said he crossed paths with both Florida head coach Billy Napier and running backs coach Jabbar Juluke — the latter of whom has been substantial in the recruiting process for the young prospect from Fulshear, Texas — during his recent visit.

Gasper’s connection with Juluke

The 2025 recruit told Gators Online that the player-coach relationship started after Gasper was offered a scholarship back in January.

“I loved (Juluke’s) coaching style,” Gasper said. “I liked how he kept it real; he kept it short and simple. He said he’s going to keep it real with all of his running backs and teach us life lessons. He said it’s not all about football. It’s about life too and he said he’s going to shape and develop me into a better man.”

Gasper noted that he’d like to set up another official visit sometime this year after enjoying his tour of the UF campus.

“I liked it. It kind of felt like I was home a little bit,” Gasper offered.

Recruiting summary

Gasper is ranked No. 461 overall and No. 42 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 550 and 47, respectively.

On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine gives Florida a 34.4% chance of landing the talented running back, followed by the Ohio State Buckeyes (30.1%), Michigan Wolverines (25.8%) and Nebraska Cornhuskers (2.0%).

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