Florida football recruiting: Four-star speedster Nay’Quan Wright commits to Gators

Just hours after Florida’s thrashing of Florida State on Saturday, the Gators got a crucial commitment from a player who could fortify their backfield down the line.

That’s the upshot of the commitment of four-start Miami Carol City running back Nay’Quan Wright, who made his public pledge via a tweet Saturday evening.

Wright has long been expected to end up with the Gators — his Crystal Ball is chock full of Florida predictions — who have been on him essentially since Dan Mullen’s arrival despite an injury wiping out much of his junior season.

And while Wright has yet to fully recover from that injury — his Hudl page is suspiciously free of highlights since 2016 — he remains a four-star prospect, and the hosannas sent his way from South Florida prep writers are significant praise.

What has been said about this quality football prospects since his youth days are not overblown. When he is healthy, there are very few backs that are in even in his class. A strong, athletic, fast, powerful all-around back, who can catch and block and is certainly one of the best teammates you will find. While injury has prevented him from breaking records, he has been ultra effective as colleges continue to offer this impressive football talent. In addition to what he has done on the football field, this is a class act away from the spotlight, helping to do anything possible to make his school and football team as good as it can be. Any college that is fortunate enough to bring Nayquan in will benefit in a major way. In a time where several do not live to the hype, here is a very gifted young man who has not disappointed anyone – at all!

If he ultimately signs with Florida, the Gators will also have the luxury of bringing Wright along relatively slowly. Florida’s packed backfield could still see the returns of Jordan Scarlett and Lamical Perine for fourth seasons in orange and blue, but even if they go pro, Dameon Pierce, a healthy Malik Davis, and Iverson Clement would figure to slot in ahead of any true freshman.

Though it’s clear that Florida will use a stable of running backs under Mullen when possible, a fourth-string freshman being brought up to speed at his own pace would seem to be in a fine spot to make an impact down the road.

Wright is Florida’s 16th commitment in the class of 2019, and the Gators sit at No. 21 nationally for the cycle with a few weeks remaining until the fall’s National Signing Day — and plenty of targets left on their board.