Florida adds RB Evan Pryor from transfer portal

5 days ago 2

Florida's backfield is set for the 2026 season following the commitment of Cincinnati transfer Evan Pryor on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Pryor visited Florida on Monday and had high praise for the program. He had all but made up his mind after the visit, but waited until Tuesday to make things official. Offense coordinator Buster Faulkner played a big role in recruiting Pryor, showing him ways that the two could work in tandem, including some two-back formations.

"My mom didn't make the trip with me," Pryor told Swamp247. "So I had to take a second and talk to her last night, sleep on it." Pryor said. "It was a real thought-out decision. At this point in my career, I just didn't want to do anything out of just curiosity."

Evan Pryor's college career

Pryor, a former four-star recruit, spent his first three seasons with Ohio State before transferring to Cincinnati ahead of the 2024 season. He ran for 147 yards and one touchdown on 40 carries for the Buckeyes, but injuries sidleined him for the entirety of his redshirt freshman season (2022). The injury allowed him to receive a waiver and medically redshirt, giving him an extra year of eligibility.

With Cincinnati, he put up 418 yards and six touchdowns on 56 carries, adding 181 yards and another touchdown on 15 receptions. His 7.46 yards per carry ranked second in the Big 12 that season, among qualified players. He broke an 80-yard touchdown catch and a 55-yard touchdown run that year.

As a senior, Pryor ran the ball 76 times while starting six of 10 games played. He finished last season with 522 yards (6.9 YPC) and three touchdowns. He's fumbled twice over 172 career carries.

Pro Football Focus gave him a top-75 rushing grade, among players with 60 or more carries, of 82.1 — also good for No. 12 in the Big 12. Pryor also earned a 74.4 overall grade, 69.7 fumble grade and 64.6 run-blocking grade from PFF.

247Sports ranks Pryor No. 199 overall and No. 16 among running backs in the transfer portal.

Florida's running backs room

With Jadan Baugh set to return, Pryor provides a veteran presence at running back for Florida. He's used to working as a backup and should see significant playing time with KD Daniels, Ja'Kobi Jackson and Treyaun Webb moving on from the program. Freshman Chad Gasper Jr. also entered the transfer portal after seeing no action in 2025.

Pryor will likely not have to compete with rising redshirt freshman Duke Clark for the backup role. Clark is likely to continue developing as a redshirt freshman, who only received six carries in 2025. Florida also has rising redshirt freshman Byron Louis on the roster. Clark and Louis are likely to play bigger roles in 2027, when Pryor is out of eligibility — and assuming Baugh enters the NFL draft.

Florida 2026 transfer portal additions

Pryor is the seventh official transfer portal addition of the 2026 cycle for Florida.

On offense, Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo, Georgia Tech wide receiver Bailey Stockton and James Madison tight end Lacota Dippre have committed. On defense, Florida has earned commitments from Baylor defensive lineman DK Kalu and Baylor safety DJ Coleman. The Gators are also adding a pair of special teamers from Tulane, kicker Patrick Durkin and punter Alec Clark.

Florida is also expected to land Georgia Tech interior offensive lineman Harrison Moore, who is on an official visit (Jan. 6).

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Gators football earns commitment from transfer RB Evan Pryor

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