Gators Earn Commitment from 2025 RB Waltez Clark

On the heels of an upset victory over No. 11 Tennessee, the Florida Gators earned their first pledge in the 2025 cycle from running back Waltez Clark.

Florida’s strong on-field performance ended with fireworks on the recruiting trail.

Just moments after the Gators upset victory over the No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers, Florida gained its first commit in the 2025 recruiting class.

Plant High School (Tampa, Fla.) running back Waltez Clark pledged himself to the Gators on Saturday night. He chose Florida over 18 other offers including the likes of Florida State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, USC and others.

Clark — 6-foot-2, 198 pounds — presents a more physically imposing stature than the Gators have targeted since Jabbar Juluke took off over the position group in December 2021, at least from a height perspective.

However, utilizing his long limbs to his advantage, Clark produces as a threat rushing outside the tackles at the prep level, showcasing a high-level straight line speed and ball carrier vision.

The potential — which flashes on occasion during his near-20-minute sophomore highlight tape — to become a hybrid back with speed and power has drawn considerable attention from several Power Five programs early in his process.

The Gators joined the party on March 11, building a strong rapport with the in-state prospect from that point.

On Saturday night, Clark’s front row seat for current running back Trevor Etienne’s career-best rushing performance in the Gators victory over the Volunteers sealed the deal for his commitment to the UF.

Rated as a four-star prospect per 247 Sports Composite rankings, Clark is labeled the No. 11 running back and No. 128 in the 2025 class. He kickstarts Florida’s next cycle that will be used to supplement the highly regarded No. 3 recruiting class — at least at this stage — of 2024.

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