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Andrew Beard is a four-star running back from Prince Avenue Christian School in Bogart, Georgia. Beard committed to the Gators on May 8th, 2026. He took an official visit to Florida from June 4th-6th, which tightened his bond with the staff and other commits. Beard is the No. 184 ranked prospect in the nation according to the Rivals Industry Composite.
Read on to learn more about his recruiting process, future goals, and personal life in this edition of Getting to Know.
FOOTBALL/RECRUITING
What was the commitment process like for you?
“The commitment process was good for me. I said it wouldn’t be as crazy as some people’s. I called Coach [Jon] Sumrall up; he was really excited. He was on a little trip with his family. It was really good to see how excited he was. I called Coach [Chris] Foster and he said I made his whole year. It was a great process committing to the University of Florida and seeing how excited the coaches got.”
What school would you say came second in your recruitment?
“I would say Clemson. It was Clemson and Florida for me for about the last month of my recruitment process.”
What is the most appealing part of the University of Florida to you? What about UF separated itself from other programs?
“The ability to play at the biggest stage of college football, which is the SEC. UF’s energy is unlike any other place. You can feel how bad everybody wants to win and how much the coaches really care about the players.”
You have some family ties to the University of Georgia. Did that play into your recruitment process?
“That didn’t really play a big part for me. I was high on Georgia for a while, but I feel like Florida was just the best fit for me. The whole family thing didn’t really play as big a part as people made it seem.”
What would you say inspired you to start playing football?
“It was just natural for me. My dad played ball, and my uncle played ball. I feel like ever since I was born, I was just born with a football in my hand. It just happened naturally.”
What are some of your greatest strengths as a football player?
“My IQ and my versatility. I can understand the defenses and what they are bringing. Probably my versatility, being able to catch the ball off the back foot and also being able to block.”
What is your favorite football memory?
“Probably the quarterfinals of my sophomore year. I ran for like 360 and five touchdowns, and we won the game, so that was a really good memory.”
What do you need to work on the most when you get to Florida?
“I’d say physicality, just finishing my runs better and not running out of bounds before the last defender, and falling forward for extra yards.”
Who have you spoken to the most from your recruiting class?
“I would say Davin Davidson.”
What current Florida players have you spoken with the most?
“It would probably be Evan Pryor. He was my host for my OV, so we talked a good bit pretty much throughout those three days.”
Who are you looking forward to playing with or going against in practice?
“Going against would probably be Ja’Bios [Smith] from Swainsboro cause you know we’re in-state, but I’ve never actually gotten to play him. I feel like that’s the person I’m excited to play against. Playing with probably Davin [Davidson]. Me and Davin talk every day, still, he’s probably one of my better friends in the class, so I feel like playing alongside him will be fun.”
What is your favorite professional football team?
“I would say the [Philadelphia] Eagles just because I’m a big Saquon Barkley fan.”
Who is your favorite player of all time?
“Reggie Bush.”
What has Coach Chris Foster tell you that stuck with you the most?
“Really just that he’s a developer and not just a coach. He said anybody can coach running backs, but it takes a different kind of coach to develop one.”
What kind of player do the coaches believe you can become?
“A first-round draft pick. They believe I can be the best in my class and the best at what I do. I feel like the coaches have a high belief in me, and I have a high belief in myself, so we can make that happen.”
What are your goals as an incoming freshman?
“To get significant playing time and just play a role, turn this program around.”
What part of your game are you working on the most right now?
“I would say agility. I’m putting on weight right now; I’m like 195 right now. I played last season at like 185. I feel like just staying agile while also gaining weight.”
What should fans expect from you when you arrive on campus?
“Someone that’s ready to get to work as soon as they get there. I’m not coming to Florida to sit on the bench for a couple years and try to shine eventually. I’m trying to get on campus and make an impact immediately.”
Do you have any funny stories/moments with Coach Sumrall or Coach Foster during the recruiting process?
“It was Coach Sumrall during my 7-on-7 when I was down there. I stayed for another unofficial visit. All the players had a little water balloon fight, and they picked up Coach Sumrall and threw him in the pool.”
PERSONAL
What is your major going to be?
“I think it’s going to be business or finance, something along those lines.”
If you could play a sport outside of football, what would it be?
“It would probably be baseball. I’m pretty good; I stopped playing baseball in 9th grade. I didn’t stop too long along, but I was pretty good at it.”
What is one thing that Gator nation does not know about you?
“I enjoy playing golf and chess. Some things that ain’t common in most football players.”
What would be your first purchase if you got drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft?
“A car. That would probably be my first thing. Probably a Cybertruck would be my first purchase.”
What is one thing that you can’t live without?
“My family for sure. I can’t live without my family.”
You’re given the AUX cord in the locker room before a big game. What is your go-to song?
“Games of War by YoungBoy.”
What is your favorite TV show?
“SpongeBob.”
What are you binge-watching at the moment?
“At the moment I like watching those untold stories on Netflix, about all the crime stuff.”
What is your favorite flavor of Gatorade?
“I say it’s green, but some people say it’s yellow. It’s the lemon lime one.”
Do you play any video games? Which ones?
“I play a lot of NCAA and a lot of 2K.”
What wild animal would you be, and why?
“I feel like I would be like a little honey badger. Elusive, chill at times, but if you get it riled up, it can be a lot.”
What are you looking forward to in college outside of football?
“Spending time creating new friends. It’s the first time really being away from the house for a significant time and distance. It’s going to be fun meeting new people.”
What do you want people to think when they hear the name Andrew Beard five years from now?
“Someone that left a major impact on the program. Someone that is ready to give back.”
What advice do you have for young players dreaming of going to college?
“Stay hard at work. No matter how hard it may seem or how unforgiving the process is, just keep going at it.”
What is your favorite quality in a teammate?
“Someone that really looks out for your best interests. You don’t want to play with someone that’s selfish. Just a teammate that’s willing to do whatever for the team and not just themselves.”
If you could have dinner with three people from any point in history, who would they be and why?
“Denzel Washington because he’s my favorite actor. Stephen Curry because he’s really my goat in basketball. Martin Luther King because he’s inspirational.”
What are three things on your bucket list?
“I want to go outside of the country. I went to Costa Rica this year, but I want to go to Africa to see Mount Kilimanjaro. I feel like that would be fun. I want to see the Grand Canyon, and I want to go bungee jumping off something. I don’t want to go skydiving, but I want to go bungee jumping.”
What’s your go-to pregame meal?
“Chicken, mac and cheese, and green beans is my go-to.”
Apple Music or Spotify?
“Apple Music.”
Early bird or night owl?
“Early bird.”
Cats or dogs?
“Dogs.”
Quiet or outgoing?
“Outgoing at times.”
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
“Slowing down instead of speeding up at yellow lights (Laughs).”
What’s your hidden talent?
“Chess. I’m a grandmaster pretty much.”
What message do you have for Gator nation?
“I’m ready to work. I’m ready to get in there and win some ball games, win a national championship.”
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