Florida’s backfield has potential to help Gators overachieve in 2023
Florida is a team within the SEC that isn’t generating much buzz and, if they are, it’s negative. With that being the case, On3’s J.D. PicKell wants to correct the viewpoint in which we’re all seeing the Gators.
PicKell named Florida’s backfield as one of his under-the-radar storylines in the conference while at SEC Media Days. He said that the team’s quarterback question has taken away from two rock-solid options in the backfield next to him. If they can get going on the ground like they showed they could last season, PicKell is high on what that could mean for the success of the rest of the Gator’s roster.
“Florida has one of the best backfields in America. And we’re not talking about it nearly enough,” PicKell stated. “Everybody’s talking about Graham Mertz, his transfer from Wisconsin, how he’s hot and cold, and what he could be, what he might be, and what he won’t be. I think it’s all a fair conversation to talk about that. But I think we’re looking at Florida through the completely wrong lens.”
“Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson both averaged over five and a half yards per carry last year, okay? If Florida can run the football how they want to run the football? It’s going to be good times in Gainesville,” said PicKell. “The sky is going to be blue, the birds are going to be singing. The defense will not have to stay on the field nearly as long, Graham Mertz is going to have much more open passing lanes. If Florida is able to run the football to the degree of the talent in that backfield? They’re going to be okay.”
After transferring in from Louisiana, Johnson rushed 155 times for 841 yards and 10 touchdowns. As a freshman, Etienne then came in second in Florida’s rushing attack with 118 attempts for 719 yards and six touchdowns.
Both were first and second in the rushing categories down in The Swamp last season alongside Anthony Richardson.
PicKell realizes that there’s a chance that that doesn’t make that much of a difference for Florida this fall. However, considering they have it at their disposal, he believes that they should be the narrative for the Gators coming into the season rather than anything else.
“I’m not predicting anything about Florida right now. But I just think there’s so much talk about how they’re going to underachieve, how Billy Napier is this and that as a head coach, the talent is down. If they can run the football? Life will be better in Gainesville. I promise you,” said PicKell. “I don’t know why that’s not getting talked about at all when it comes to Florida and how they project in 2023.”