Despite losing Montrell Johnson Jr. to the NFL Draft, Florida may have the deepest running back room in the SEC. With plenty of experience, the Gators ‘ three-deep rotation is loaded with premier talent. The Gators’ offense is built to run the football first, and these running backs will be leaned upon. Florida returns four out of five starting offensive linemen, so the blocking will certainly be up to par. Fans will be interested to see which running back stands out from the pack. All three have big game experience and would be viable options as the starting back. Once fall camp begins, fans will be watching how the carries are split. This is the first time in years that Florida will enter the season with considerable momentum. If they want to compete for a playoff spot, the running back room must lead the way.
Who Will Breakthrough?
Freshman Experience
The expected starter, Jadan Baugh, will enter his sophomore season with loads of experience. After an excellent Spring in his freshman year, he saw the field earlier than expected. Hitting his stride midway through the season, he eventually became the number one back. He finished his freshman year with 673 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Adding a receiving touchdown, he proved he is the future of this program. Now entering his sophomore year, he must take the next step in his development. Although he will be splitting carries, he is still viewed as the premier back. Getting early SEC experience was crucial, and he now has a taste for the speed of the game. Gators head coach Billy Napier prefers a run-first offense, and Baugh has the chance to be his featured back. This could be a big year for the Gators, and they will need Baugh at his best.
JUCO Weapon
Running back Ja’Kobi Jackson certainly turned some heads in his first season of action. Joining the Gators in the spring of 2023, he saw no playing time in this loaded position room. However, he burst onto the scene this year, playing in all 13 games and totaling over 500 yards rushing. Jackson scored in four of the last six games, steadily improving as the season progressed. With a monster Spring Game, Jackson should be a big part of this offense. Expected to split carries with Baugh, Jackson gives the Gators a deadly 1-2 punch. This offense, led by quarterback DJ Lagway, will be aiming to simply run the ball at will. Look for each running back to receive considerable carries as the season progresses. Despite not being the number one back, Jackson is primed to have a big impact on this season.
Revenge Tour
Often viewed as the forgotten back, Treyaun Webb only played in four games during the 2024 season. Suffering a season-ending injury, Baugh and Jackson stepped up and thrived in his absence. Despite receiving no promises of a starting job, he decided to return to this loaded Gators running back room. Before going down with his injury, he had 93 yards rushing and a touchdown off 21 carries. Getting some meaningful snaps during his freshman season, he totaled 163 rushing yards with two touchdowns. Webb was a 4-star recruit who many believe has a bright future in Gainesville. Rounding out the running back group, he is not your typical backup. Had he not been injured, he would have been leaned upon heavily last season. Now, he has a chance to truly prove himself. In a loaded Gators positional group, he has every opportunity to contribute and earn meaningful carries.
Others To Keep an Eye on
After the Gators’ three deep, the rest of the position group is up for grabs. Florida has plenty of incoming freshmen eager to grab this spot on the depth chart. During the Orange and Blue Game, running backs Kelvin Jimenez and Duke Clark received carries for the Orange team. A team loaded with backups, they each received eight carries and had over three yards per attempt. Although neither is expected to receive any carries in a big game, they have a chance to carve out a future role. The SEC is an entirely different playing field than any high school in America. It is extremely rare that a player can come in and contribute heavily during their freshman season. Both of these running backs will have the chance to develop and improve their craft during the course of the year.
Final Thoughts
If the Gators want to meet their lofty expectations, this loaded running back room must shoulder the load. With three talented players expected to contribute, the workload will be split, allowing for fresh legs. All three of these backs now have SEC experience and have played in close contests. With quarterback DJ Lagway entering his first full season as a starter, the running backs must help make his life easier. This Florida squad has a chance to be special, and they enter this season on quite a high note. This is a make-or-break season for Napier. Anything less than eight wins could and most likely will lead to his dismissal. The running back room will be the focal point of this offense. All three backs must be healthy and ready to go if the Gators want to fulfill their goals.
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