Florida's 2028 recruiting class does not currently include a running back, but that could be changing soon. The Gators are now a finalist for four-star running back Dalen Powell, who is rated as the No. 5 overall running back in his class.
Powell, who is rated as the No. 1 prospect out of Louisiana, has narrowed down his list of schools to a top-10, which includes Florida and several other power-conference teams.
Florida looking to beat out LSU and several others for Powell
Powell released his final schools, and they include the likes of fellow SEC schools in Ole Miss, Alabama, Arkansas and of course LSU from his home state of Louisiana. The Ruston, La. prospect also has schools in Miami, Florida State and Kansas State on his list:
NEWS: Elite 2028 RB Dalen Powell is down to 10 Schools, he tells me for @Rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 5, 2026
The 6’1 197 RB from Ruston, LA is ranked as the No. 3 RB in the 2028 Rivals300https://t.co/wJu06KR1Sd pic.twitter.com/bpJMyGRTbk
Powell is the No. 5 overall running back from the class of 2028. He plays out of Ruston High School, which is located in the northern part of the state, roughly 60 miles east of Shreveport. Florida offered Powell in Jan. 2026. So far in his recruiting process he has attended just one camp, at Florida State in June. That's not too surprising given that he is a 2028 prospect.
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Per his 247Sports bio, he missed last year's playoffs as a sophomore after suffering a leg injury. But during the regular season he rushed for 1,156 yards with 15 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 7.23 yards per carry. He was also a factor in the passing game, getting 18 receptions for 239 yards with three scores. His high school team also uses him on kickoff returns, where he shows flashes of his playmaking ability:
DALEN. MIDDLE-NAME. POWELL. 😮💨
— Louisiana vs. All Y’all (@LAvsAllYall) September 6, 2025
The 2028 Ruston running back is putting on an absolute show.
Add the 89-yard kickoff return to his three rushing touchdowns in the first half.
Ruston 28, Acadiana 7.
2Q, 4:25. pic.twitter.com/D302chdoJ3
As for the early favorites to land Powell, Rivals gives Ole Miss a 33.4% chance to land the running back. The other primary competition for the running back is likely LSU, as head coach Lane Kiffin wants Louisiana talent to stay close to home.
It's unclear if Powell has set a commitment date just yet. But if he joins Florida's class, he would join Sumrall's No. 6 overall ranked class nationally. It features four-star offensive tackle Samuel Bailey and three stars in safety Clayton Smith and receiver Armani Strong.
Of course, it is still very early in the 2028 recruiting cycle. But Florida being an early finalist for Powell might be a positive sign.
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