Treyaun Webb, nation's No. 5 running back, announces commitment: 'Why not Florida?'

The state of Florida is historically loaded at the running back position in the class of 2023.

Four of the nation's top six running backs call the state of Florida home - Edgewater's Cedric Baxter Jr., Lehigh's Richard Young, Trinity Christian Academy's Treyaun Webb and American Heritage's Mark Fletcher (Ohio State). 

But until Thursday, none of the in-state college football programs had benefitted from the surge in talent.

That changed when Webb announced his decision.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound ball-carrier, who was once a Georgia and Oklahoma pledge, announced his third commitment to the Florida Gators:

"Why not Florida?" he wrote, but his reasoning runs deeper.

"The academics and the home feeling," Webb said. "It’s a lot of opportunity in Gainesville."

Rated the nation's No. 5 running back, Webb chose the Gators over more than 40 scholarship offers and projects as a future NFL draft pick by 247Sports:

"A methodical runner that can make people miss and shed tackles. Has contributed at the varsity level since he was in eighth grade for one of Florida’s top private school programs. Came alive as a junior in the 3A state playoffs totaling 876 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in just four games. Does a nice job of using his initial burst to hit the hole hard and find green grass. Has enough wiggle to occasionally get out of trouble if a play breaks down as he has shown that he can sidestep defenders or spin away from them. Shouldn’t exactly be considered a power back given his build (listed at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds), but he has developed a rather effective stiff arm, which helps keep him upright. Squatty base and lower center of gravity also makes him hard to bring down in the open field, at least under the lights in Duval County. Has won some foot races throughout his prep career, but seems to lack a true top-end gear. However, likely to only get more explosive once lifting in a college weight room and has posted some respectable times on the track. Hasn’t been asked to catch the ball all that much while operating out of spread single-back attack, but has shown on the offseason 7-on-7 circuit that he can be more than just a check down option. Likely to emerge as a multi-year contributor at the Power 5 level and possibly an impact player on Saturdays if he keeps progressing and avoids injury. Also has a little position ambiguity to him as he has impressed while doubling as a defensive back in the past. At minimum, that experience will make him more valuable on special teams." 

The in-state back also indicated Thursday that he intends to graduate from high school early and enroll at Florida in January. 

While Webb is a massive "get" for the Gators football program, he was not the only major addition of the day.

Earlier, Florida flipped Penn State pledge and Nease High School (Florida) star Marcus Stokes, the nation's No. 10 signal-caller. 

It was a good day for the Gators.

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