Highly coveted tailback commits

GAINESVILLE — Florida received a verbal commitment from Louisiana tailback Trevor Etienne as the Gators push to close ground before Feb. 2 National Signing Day.

Etienne chose coach Billy Napier’s Gators over LSU, around 100 miles from the high school’s star home in Jennings, and Clemson, where Etienne’s older brother Travis was a star and national champion.

The commitment will become official when Etienne signs a letter of intent next month.

Etienne, the No. 183 overall recruit according to 247Sports, announced his intention on national TV during the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.

Etienne was flanked by his parents, Donnette and Travis Sr., along with his grandmother and two sisters. He stood at a table with hats from the three finalists for his services.

“First off I’d like to thank God, friends and family for coming to support me — without them none of this is possible,” Etienne said. “I want to thank the coaches for believing in me. For the next three or four years of my life it will be ...”

Etienne then placed the Florida hat on his head. After their son chose Florida, Etienne’s mother and father peels off hoodies to reveal Gators’ shirts.

Etienne is the first high school running back landed by the Gators since Nay’Quan Wright out of Miami in 2019.

Florida’s class rose 10 spots to No. 40 in 247Sports’ national team rankings.

The 5-foot-9, 218-pound back is rated 15th at his position in the 2022 class and 14th overall prospect in Louisiana, where Napier coached the past four seasons in Lafayette. Napier also hired longtime LSU assistant and top recruiter Corey Raymond to coach cornerbacks and serve as assistant head coach.

The explosive Etienne averaged 12.3 yards per carry and totaled 1,344 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns in seven games this past season at Jennings

High School.

Napier