Gators shake up running back depth chart halfway through season
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After going through the first half of the season with the same starter at running back, the Gators shook up their depth chart this week ahead of Saturday’s rivalry matchup with LSU.
Redshirt sophomore Nay’Quan Wright, who was listed as the starter for each of the previous six games, is now third at his position behind Florida’s top two leading rushers on the year.
Louisiana transfer Montrell Johnson, who has a team-high 368 yards and five rushing touchdowns, is the new RB1 for the Gators, followed by true freshman Trevor Etienne as his backup.
Through the first six games, UF coach Billy Napier and running backs Jabbar Juluke split the carries evenly between Johnson (46 carries), Etienne (45) and Wright (44). However, it’s clear which backs have been the most productive with their opportunities.
Johnson is averaging 8.0 yards per carry, which ranks No. 6 nationally and third in the SEC. Etienne has rushed for two touchdowns and 306 yards, averaging 6.8 yards a pop. Wright has two rushing TDs and 175 yards with a 4.0 average per carry, half of Johnson’s.
Despite the depth chart shakeup, expect the Gators to continue using all three backs. But with the order of rotation changing, the distribution of carries likely will as well.
“You know, we’re very much a running back by committee group. That’s been our philosophy for a long time,” Napier said last month. “We’ve been one of the best rushing teams in the country. Those players have went to play in the National Football League. Montrell, Trevor and Nay’Quan, those guys are next up. The good thing about that room is those guys are selfless, they’ve got a great attitude, they work hard each day. They’re improving as practice players.
“I think Trevor in particular is learning more and more as a rookie player. But Nay’Quan provides leadership. Montrell obviously is still a young player but played in our system last year. So, each one of those guys, to go along with Lorenzo Lingard, they contribute to our team in a great way, and we’ll continue to roll those guys through.”
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![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier celebrates with Florida Gators wide receiver Aidan Mizell (11) after a touchdown during the first half at the Orange and Blue spring football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 13, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/04/13155133/Untitled-design-65-2.png)