Much of the talk centering this Gators running back core has been about the loss of Trevor Etienne. However, the Gators running back room still finds itself with premier talent.
Already in the full swing of Spring practice, there are many Gator players looking to improve their NFL draft stock. With an impressive season, some of these rising juniors and seniors could play themselves into a high draft slot.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The winds of attrition breezed through The Swamp again this winter, with Florida making 30 scholarship roster additions and 21 subtractions via the NCAA transfer portal, along with several departing players heading toward the NFL Draft or their post-football careers.
Running backs still matter at the University of Florida. Within the current structure of the Gators' offense, dependable and talented ball carriers are a necessity.
COLUMBIA, Miss. -- Gators starting quarterback Graham Mertz exited Florida's Week 12 matchup with No. 9 Missouri in the third quarter due to an apparent right shoulder injury. Following a handoff to running back Montrell Johnson Jr.
The Florida Gators named their captains for the Week 10 bout against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Friday evening. Running back Montrell Johnson Jr., offensive lineman Richie Leonard IV, linebacker Derek Wingo and defensive back Jaydon Hill will shoulder the duties.
Montrell Johnson Jr. and Arlis Boradingham lifted the Gators to a convincing homecoming victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon, 38-14. The duo of offensive weapons accounted for 52.3% of the offense's production in the contest, compiling 259 total yards and three scores combined.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Homecoming has arrived at the University of Florida, and it could not come at a more critical time for the Gators' football season.
Photo: Florida QB Graham Mertz, RB Montrell Johnson Jr.; Credit: Alex Shepherd GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- For the first time since Nov. 12 of last year against South Carolina, the most recent time the Gators played inside The Swamp prior to Saturday, Florida produced a tally in the win column with a 49-7 thrashing of McNeese State in Week 2.
Photo: Montrell Johnson Jr.; Credit: Alex Shepherd GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- In what could be considered Florida head coach Billy Napier's ideal football world,
Montrell Johnson Jr. ran for 119 yards and two scores and Florida posted touchdowns on its first seven drives as the Gators routed FCS opponent McNeese 49-7 Saturday night in Gainesville, Fla.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Montrell Johnson Jr., Trevor Etienne and Treyaun Webb combined for 274 yards and five touchdowns on the evening to lead the Gators to a convincing week two victory over the Cowboys.
Florida named four upperclassmen as its captains on Wednesday ahead of the week one contest against Utah on Thursday evening. Running back Montrell Johnson Jr., wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, edge rusher Princely Umanmielen and cornerback Jason Marshall Jr.
Photo (left to right): Florida running backs Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne Running backs are a vital component of Billy Napier's scheme. Dating back
Early returns from the Billy Napier regime in Gainesville have been difficult to read, defined by peaks and troughs on the field and in the talent acquisition department.
Florida has put together arguably the top tandem of committed running backs in the nation as Chauncey Bowens and Kahnen Daniels are entrenched within the Gators' haul of 2024 prospects. But could UF add a third future member to its running back room?
Photo: Jabbar Juluke and Florida running backs Montrell Johnson (2), Trevor Etienne (7) and Treyaun Webb (20); Credit: Zach Goodall Florida is back on the practice field, with 2023 spring camp underway ahead of head coach Billy Napier's second season with the Gators.
Florida brings back its one-two punch from the strong 2022 on-field product in Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne, but depth behind the SEC's top
There were more pressing needs to address entering the offseason, but Billy Napier had running back depth on his list of priorities when the transfer portal window opened for Florida to peer through. The need for a capable backup to dynamic Gators running back tandem Montrell Johnson Jr.
When Billy Napier arrived in Gainesville, he made his plans for Florida football clear: Tear everything down and rebuild the Gators from scratch. If Napier's transparency throughout his first offseason in charge wasn't enough to convince UF fans of that reality, his last two months as the program's head coach certainly should.
Photo: Trevor Etienne; Credit: Alex Shepherd The Gators are entering a crucial offseason, the second of head coach Billy Napier's tenure, looking to turn things around after Florida posted its second consecutive 6-7 record to conclude the 2022 campaign.
Photos: Trevor Etienne (left) and Montrell Johnson Jr. (right); Credit: Alex Shepherd While Billy Napier aspires to find running backs of Emmitt Smith's caliber during his head coaching tenure at Florida — "we need more of those," he expressed about the Gator Great on Monday — sophomore Montrell Johnson Jr.
Top-ranked Georgia will look to remain in national-championship form against reeling Florida when the rivals meet Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET at Jacksonville, Fla. The Bulldogs and Gators are coming off bye weeks while headed in opposite directions.
As the Florida Gators continue their preparations for Saturday night’s rivalry showdown with the LSU Tigers, head coach Billy Napier on Thursday released an updated depth chart that included a number of key changes.
Photo: Montrell Johnson; Credit: Alex Shepherd The Florida Gators were clicking in their first possession of the season, ridding any worry of a return to offensive stagnancy experienced in the past prior to Dan Mullen's run as head coach.
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