Florida Gators Flip FSU-Bound RB Byron Louis Amid Recruiting Frenzy

Florida Gators Flip FSU-Bound RB Byron Louis Amid Recruiting Frenzy

The Florida Gators are on an absolute tear in the recruiting world, and Tuesday morning brought yet another victory for Billy Napier and his staff. Florida successfully flipped four-star running back Byron Louis, who had previously committed to in-state rival Florida State, sources told ESPN. This marks the Gators’ fourth commitment in less than 24 hours, sending shockwaves through the college football recruiting landscape and dealing a significant blow to the Seminoles’ 2025 class.

Louis, ranked as ESPN’s No. 11 running back prospect for the 2025 class, made his decision just three days after visiting Gainesville. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for Florida, as the Gators hosted Louis during their electrifying Week 13 win over No. 9 Ole Miss. That game clearly left an impression, as Louis decided to join the Gators’ growing 2025 class shortly after.

But Louis wasn’t the only big name to join Florida’s ranks this week. On Monday, the Gators flipped USC inside linebacker commit Ty Jackson, who is ranked No. 54 in the ESPN 300. Later that same day, Florida added offensive tackle Jahari Medlock, a Cincinnati flip, and wide receiver Muizz Tounkara, who had been committed to Arizona. Talk about a recruiting hot streak!

Florida’s Recruiting Momentum

Louis, who is also ranked No. 196 overall in the ESPN 300, is the latest addition to a Gators class that has been on fire since Nov. 7, when the school announced that Billy Napier would remain as head coach. Since that announcement, Florida has added eight commitments to its 2025 class, which is currently ranked 27th nationally. The Gators have also been hosting a slew of high-profile recruits over the past two weekends, including four-star wide receivers Jaime Ffrench and Dallas Wilson.

What makes this flip even sweeter for Florida fans is the fact that Louis is the third former Florida State commit to join the Gators since Nov. 17. He joins quarterback Tramell Jones and offensive guard Daniel Pierre Louis in making the switch from Tallahassee to Gainesville. The timing couldn’t be more dramatic, as Florida is set to face Florida State this Saturday night in a primetime showdown on ESPN2.

Florida State’s Recruiting Woes

For Florida State, the loss of Louis is just the latest in a string of recruiting setbacks. The Seminoles, who once boasted 12 ESPN 300 commitments in their 2025 class, have seen that number dwindle to just six. Louis is the eighth prospect to decommit from Mike Norvell’s program since the start of the regular season, including five other ESPN 300 players. The Seminoles’ struggles on the field—where they’ve stumbled to a 2-9 record this fall—have undoubtedly played a role in their recruiting challenges.

Florida State’s 2025 class is now headlined by five-star offensive tackle Solomon Thomas, who is ranked as ESPN’s No. 3 offensive tackle prospect. The Seminoles did get a bit of good news last week when they flipped four-star quarterback Kevin Sperry from Oklahoma. Sperry, ranked No. 132 in the ESPN 300, provides a much-needed boost to a class that has been hemorrhaging talent in recent weeks.

What’s Next for the Gators?

With the early signing period fast approaching, Florida is looking to capitalize on its recent momentum and finish the 2025 recruiting cycle strong. The Gators’ recent success on the field, including their win over Ole Miss, has undoubtedly helped their recruiting efforts. And with Billy Napier’s job security no longer in question, the program appears to be trending in the right direction.

As for Louis, his decision to flip from Florida State to Florida is a testament to the Gators’ ability to close the deal with top-tier talent. The running back from Plantation, Florida, had initially committed to the Seminoles over Georgia, Miami, and Wisconsin back in September. Now, he’ll be suiting up in orange and blue, much to the delight of Gators fans everywhere.

Key Takeaways

• Florida flipped four-star running back Byron Louis from Florida State, marking their fourth 2025 commitment in less than 24 hours.
• Louis is ranked as ESPN’s No. 11 running back prospect and No. 196 overall in the 2025 class.
• Florida has added eight commitments to its 2025 class since Nov. 7, including three former Florida State pledges.
• Florida State’s 2025 class has lost eight commitments since the start of the regular season, including six ESPN 300 prospects.

The battle between Florida and Florida State is heating up both on the field and on the recruiting trail. With Saturday night’s game looming, the stakes couldn’t be higher for these two programs. One thing is for sure: the Gators are making a statement, and the rest of the college football world is taking notice.