Stampeding Through the 2025 USF Football Roster: #24 RB Tray Kinkle
Our second running back of the countdown is an incoming freshman.
PLAYER: Tray Kinkle
POSITION: Running back
YEAR: Freshman
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5’11”, 196 lbs.
HOW DID HE GET HERE? One of two out-of-state running backs in USF’s incoming freshmen class, Kinkle was both a star running back and star literal runner at Holly Springs High School in northern Mississippi. His offer list was very impressive, including Florida, Florida State, Auburn, and Ole Miss. Despite the top-end power conference attention, he committed to USF in November of 2024, and signed a month later on early signing day.
The recruiting services labeled Kinkle a mid-to-high three-star recruit. Note: I have been regularly saying phrases like “mid-to-high three-star recruit” in this countdown as if this combination of words makes any sense whatsoever. I will continue to do so and you cannot stop me.
WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT IN 2025? Kinkle is a lightning-fast back with a big-time recruiting profile. In other words: I am very, very excited about him. Alex Golesh is also excited about him, and said as much in his opening presser of fall camp, stating that USF hasn’t had a running back with Kinkle’s speed the past couple years.
There is theoretically playing time to be won at the running back position in 2025 with the departure of Kelley Joiner, Nay’Quan Wright, and Ta’Ron Keith, but I don’t expect any true freshmen to fill those roles. Nonetheless, Kinkle is clearly a very talented player; he and fellow true freshman Chase Garnett may be the backbone of the USF backfield for years to come.