Gators RB Pledge Chauncey Bowens ‘100% Committed’ to Florida
Photo: Chauncey Bowens; Credit: Brandon Carroll
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. -- The recruitment of Benjamin School running back Chauncey Bowens has blown up quickly over the last several weeks, offering him new opportunities.
Top programs around the nation have started to get in on the Gators commit with Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State notably extending offers for his services. While he’s done his due diligence to allow other teams to recruit him — including a visit to Athens on Jan. 28 — Bowens hasn’t wavered on his pledge to the University of Florida.
Hs confirmed with All Gators on Sunday at the Under Armour Next camp in Orlando his loyalty to the commitment he made on Sept. 18.
“My recruitment process, I mean, it kind of picked up. It's crazy now, but I'm still 100% committed to Florida,” he said.
The increased attention is surely validating for a ball carrier who’s flown under the radar on a national stage for much of his high school career. He’s recently seen two helicopters land on the football field at his high school, receiving visits from two-time reigning national champion Kirby Smart and Mario Cristobal.
At the very least, it’s eye-opening for how far he’s come and he’s grateful for how his recruitment process is playing out.
“It's crazy, but the main thing is trying to stay level headed throughout the whole thing,” he said about the impressive tactics used in an attempt to win over his services. “I'm just honored, blessed.”
However, Billy Napier, Jabbar Juluke and Co.‘s early entry into his recruitment paid dividends for his initial pledge, and could be a significant factor in retaining Bowens down the stretch of the 2024 cycle.
Especially as blue-blood programs bite at the Gators heels for their growingly prized RB commit.
“Florida was just one of the earlier schools to even jump on me in my whole recruitment process,” he said when asked about what keeps him honed in on the program despite the outside attention. “So it's good to know that like, we're kind of tied in like a family now.”
Plus, the Gators are freshly removed from a season that saw immense success from the offense on the ground. Equipped with arguably the best running back duo in the country — Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne — UF’s recruiting pull for backs has immediately strengthened in Napier’s system.
Juluke played a big role in developing the two stars for the gridiron stage almost immediately upon their arrival in Gainesville last season, and could provide that for Bowens as well down the line.
The two have built a strong bond as a result.
“Coach Juluke, we had a good relationship even before I committed, but now it's more of like bringing me into the family instead of trying to get me to come join the program,” he said.
“It’s more of how's he going to coach me and how the running backs performing, just teaching me how it’s gonna go once I actually get up there and I sign.”
Bowens helps anchor a 2024 class that already holds a elite quarterback prospect and face of the franchise DJ Lagway, who’s expected to be a significant drawing factor for talent that want to play with the high-caliber signal caller.
He spoke highly of his future backfield mate.
“DJ’s a really good dude. It's like every week, he's texting us on Mondays like, ‘Oh, y’all be great this week.’ Everyone wants to play for DJ Lagway because, honestly, we feel liken he's the best quarterback in the country. No matter what the rankings say. We know he's the best quarterback in the country.“
He understands the immense impact of having Lagway alongside him, as well linebacker commits Myles Graham and Adarius Hayes, in the commitment class from recruiting and eventual on-field standpoints.
Lagway, expectedly, leads the former endeavor. But, the other three are involved in helping acquire talent as well to add to the impressively strong foundation.
Bowens made that clear on Saturday.
“Our main thing is trying to recruit more guys to join us,” he said.
He’s planning visiting Gainesville March 30, potentially alongside Myles Graham. Bowens is confirmed for that date, but he’s unsure about Graham’s status.
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