Florida to Host Blue-Chip RB Who's Being Pursued by Rival Program
Florida to Host Blue-Chip RB Who's Being Pursued by Rival Program originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Florida continues its recruiting efforts by hosting 4-star running back Carsyn Baker for an unofficial visit this weekend. According to a report from Chad Simmons of On3, Baker is coming off recent official visits to both the Gators and their in-state rival, Florida State.
The visit signals Florida's continued push to stay competitive in what has quickly become a tightly contested recruitment. Baker is one of the top-ranked running backs in his class, and both programs appear to be making him a priority. The Gators now have another opportunity to make an impression as they prepare to host him again, this time in a more informal setting.
Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow scores a touchdown as Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Donald Washington attempts a tackle in the BCS National Championship Game in Glendale, Arizona, on Jan. 8, 2007.Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images
Baker recently made an official visit to Gainesville. His return for an unofficial stop shows continued interest in the Gators. He also visited Tallahassee, making it clear Florida State is still in the mix. Both programs are pushing hard to land him. The in-state rivalry now extends beyond the field.
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Florida fans will view this as a positive sign that the coaching staff remains in close contact with Baker, giving them another opportunity to showcase what the program has to offer. According to On3, he remains uncommitted, and the coming weeks could be pivotal in determining where he lands.
This weekend's visit may not be official, but it is crucial. It gives the Gators another opportunity to host Baker and reinforce their standing. 'Florida to host blue-chip RB who's being pursued by rival program' is the headline for good reason, with Florida State being the other program closely in the mix. The Gators will be hoping that this visit strengthens their case in a recruitment battle that could go down to the wire.
Related: 2012 Recruiting Rankings No. 3: Florida Gators
Related: 5 Newcomers to Watch for the Florida Gators
Related: Florida Football: 5 Best Quarterbacks in Gator History
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.

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