Florida Hosting Top Transfer RB for Official Visit

Florida is currently hosting former Houston running back transfer Alton McCaskill for an official visit. McCaskill shared his arrival in Gainesville, Fla. via Instagram on the evening of May 5 and is expected to tour the program over the weekend.

McCaskill, a rising third-year sophomore, entered the transfer portal for reasons undisclosed on April 25 following two seasons with the Cougars. Florida was one of if not the first team to reach out and present a scholarship offer, the following day on April 26.

Florida Offered ‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/XLPiBCKNtd
— ALTO (@AltonMcaskillIV) April 26, 2023

Considered the No. 27 running back recruit in the class of 2021, McCaskill signed with Houston over offers from the likes of Alabama, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State and 26 other programs.

McCaskill immediately emerged as a star in the American Athletic Conference. He earned 2021 AAC Rookie of the Year honors for producing 961 yards and 16 touchdowns across 189 rushing attempts, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and adding 21 receptions for 113 yards and two scores in 2021.

He missed the 2022 season due to a torn ACL suffered in spring training camp, but was available and participated in Houston's set of spring practices this offseason before departing from the team.

As a result of the injury, McCaskill maintains three seasons of eligibility to utilize at his next stop, despite originally avoiding a redshirt as a freshman.

"[McCaskill is] a really good kid and he gave us a really good year back two years ago," Houston head coach Dana Holgorsen told FOX 26 Houston following McCaskill's exit. "He had a productive spring. He was happy. He broke the team down several times this spring, was smiling and then he came in on Monday and he was emotional and said he was leaving. I don't know where that came from.

"I appreciate everything he's done for us. I appreciate his love for Houston and the University of Houston and wish him the best of luck in the future."

McCaskill has also been linked to programs such as Arizona State, Colorado, Miami and California since entering the portal.

Following the transfer pledge of former Michigan safety and UF legacy R.J. Moten, Florida has four scholarship openings on its 2023 roster that can be filled prior to the beginning of the season.

Running back is not viewed as a need for Florida at this time, compared to other spots on its roster, but the Gators would not be opposed to stacking talent to the brim in that position room. Head coach Billy Napier has suggested the possibility of a five-man UF running back unit before, and acquiring McCaskill would make the idea a reality.

Florida returns its top two rushers from the 2022 season, junior Montrell Johnson Jr. and sophomore Trevor Etienne, after the two combined for 1,560 yards and 16 touchdowns in their debut campaigns with the Gators.

Behind Johnson and Etienne on the depth chart are offseason Tulane transfer Cam Carroll, a sixth-year senior, and Treyaun Webb, a class of 2023 signee from Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian.

Florida also possesses two class of 2024 running back commitments, from North Palm Beach (Fla.) The Benjamin School's Chauncey Bowens and West Point (Miss.) High's Kahnen Daniels.

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