RB Anthony Carrie Sees Florida's Jabbar Juluke as a Mentor

Running back Anthony Carrie recaps his latest visit to Florida and describes his relationship with Gators assistant coach Jabbar Juluke.

Anthony Carrie is approaching the home stretch of his recruitment.

The Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day 2024 running back trimmed his list of 42 scholarship offers to 12 contenders in Nov. 2022, and now that his recruiting class is at the forefront, he's begun to plan out spring campus visits before making a college decision in the summertime.

Florida is among the 12 top programs, thanks in large part to the bond Carrie has formed with running backs coach Jabbar Juluke. The two spent ample time together when Carrie visited the program on Jan. 4, marking his third trip to Gainesville since Billy Napier took over as the Gators' head coach in late 2021.

"I interacted with a lot of coaches but mainly coach Juluke," Carrie told All Gators. "Our relationship is growing just because of the mentor he is to his guys and me. The best advice coach has given me was 'use the game as it uses you.' "

Carrie, undoubtedly, has used the game to his advantage in three seasons with Carrollwood Day.

After posting seven touchdowns in a rotational role as a freshman, Carrie combined for 1,951 yards and 36 touchdowns on 298 carries across his sophomore and junior campaigns. He's also caught 26 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown in his high school career.

Much like his path to playing time at the prep level, Carrie sees a path to early playing time under Napier at UF. Trevor Etienne's 719-yard, six-touchdown freshman season in 2022 is a perfect example. Montrell Johnson's 838-yard, 12-touchdown breakout freshman year at Louisiana before transferring to Florida is another one.

"I like how they rotate backs and everyone eats if they are ballers," Carrie noted.

The Gators coaching staff and Carrie share the opinion that he'd fit right in with the group. 

"Florida likes my slashing style of running and they like that I'm more versatile than a lot of backs in my class," Carrie explained. "The best all-around back in my class, if you ask me."

Carrie intends to return to Florida for a fourth visit before making his summer commitment, although that trip has yet to officially be scheduled. He'll make his way to programs such as North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and Michigan State when spring training camps are underway. 

Florida already possesses a 2024 commitment at running back, from Chauncey Bowens of North Palm Beach (Fla.) The Benjamin School. 

Johnson's potential as an NFL Draft prospect a year from now paired with Tulane transfer Cameron Carroll's limited remaining eligibility, however, should offer UF the flexibility to sign two running backs from the current cycle. Carrie is firmly in the mix for the second spot. 

Stay tuned to All Gators for continuous coverage of Florida Gators football, basketball and recruiting. Follow along on social media at @AllGatorsOnFN on Twitter and All Gators on FanNation-Sports Illustrated on Facebook. 

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