Montrell Johnson Jr. has rushed for more than 1,600 yards in his first two seasons at Florida. (Photo: Emma Bissell/UAA Communications)
Gators Position Preview: Running Back
Thursday, August 15, 2024 | Football, Scott Carter
Share:
By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In what has become the norm across college football, waves of transfers from coast to coast headlined the offseason. The departure of Gators running back Trevor Etienne to Georgia was one of the most notable.
Losing one of your top players to one of your top rivals is never ideal, and Etienne's exit stung the Gators and their fans.
"It was like an outrage, kind of," said Montrell Johnson Jr. at SEC Media Days. "But at the same time, he's our friend, and we knew he was trying to make the best decision for himself. So, we weren't really mad about it."
Johnson probably had the slightest reason to be upset. The senior from New Orleans knows what it's like to transfer. He followed head coach Billy Napier from Louisiana after his freshman season when Napier took the Florida job.
Johnson's move has benefited both parties. He has rushed for more than 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns in his two seasons at Florida, providing Napier a reliable weapon on offense from his first game.
Meanwhile, Johnson entered preseason camp with a renewed vision, knowing he would not split carries with Etienne.
"I expect to get the ball more," he said. "I'm not worried about it because I feel like I can hold the load on my own."
Johnson's plan was on track until he suffered a knee injury the first week of camp. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery for an issue that Napier termed "minor," and Johnson is currently rehabbing and able to bear weight on his knee.
He is listed week to week with the season opener against Miami in 16 days. As camp starts to count down, we continue our "Gators Position Preview" series and look closely at the running backs.
Florida's rushing attack suffered a drop-off in Napier's second season, a multi-faceted decline that had more to do with the offensive line and quarterback position than the tandem of Johnson and Etienne. After combining for 1,560 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 2022, Johnson and Etienne totaled 1,570 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023. As you can see, they are very similar numbers. Still, the Gators slipped from 24th nationally in rushing offense (200.2) to 77th (149.8) a season ago. What happened? Well, drop-back passer Graham Mertz replaced dual-threat Anthony Richardson (654 rushing yards in 2022) at quarterback, and the style change, plus an inconsistent offensive line, led to far more sacks (39 in 2023/17 in 2022). The Gators enter 2024 confident in their running backs despite Johnson's injury. "We've got four good players,'" Napier said after Johnson went down. "It's a great opportunity for those guys. And let me tell you, they're embracing it, and they're working extremely hard." The four players Napier referenced are sophomore Treyaun Webb, fourth-year junior Ja'Kobi Jackson and true freshmen Jadan Baugh and KD Daniels. Webb moved up the depth chart with Johnson sidelined, while Jackson, Baugh and Daniels showed flashes in the team's first scrimmage. A sophomore from Jacksonville, Webb is the most experienced of the group. He rushed for 163 yards and a pair of scores in limited duty as a freshman. Webb had a prolific prep career at Trinity Christian Academy, where he won a pair of state championships. Jackson transferred from Coahoma (Miss.) Community College and redshirted last year. Baugh and Daniels are first-year players who have added energy and talent to the group, with Baugh garnering attention for his performance in the Orange & Blue Game and Daniels earning praise from Napier this week for his running in the team's first scrimmage. Veteran Cam Carroll, a transfer from Tulane who missed last season due to a knee injury, and walk-on Anthony Rubio are the other backs. Still, Johnson is viewed as the top option when healthy. Besides rushing for 2,442 yards and 27 touchdowns in his collegiate career, Johnson is an effective receiver who hauled in 30 catches for 236 yards and a score last season.
Sophomore Treyaun Webb's workload has increased in preseason camp with Montrell Johnson Jr. sidelined due to a knee injury. (Photo: Maddie Washburn/UAA Communications)
If season started today: The bad news is that Johnson would have to watch from the sideline. The good news is that the Gators have the depth to get production at the position despite Johnson's injury and Etienne's transfer. A strength of Napier's first two Florida teams remains a capable unit. While Webb figures to be the lead back behind Johnson at the moment, that could change as the season approaches if Baugh, Daniels or Jackson progress faster in a competitive backfield.
Speculation: There was a slow boil of rumors leading up to Etienne's transfer in December that triggered social-media rage from a portion of Florida's fan base. A talented player many viewed as the Gators' most dangerous threat on offense, his departure adds more spice than usual to an already spicy rivalry with the Bulldogs. Factor in Etienne's off-the-field issues since his arrival in Athens, and the Oct. 28 matchup against Georgia in Jacksonville has storylines galore. Oh, and plenty of opportunity for some down-home trash talk in the parking lots around EverBank Stadium.
Quote of Note: "Me being with Coach for a minute, I know what he's capable of. I know that he's gonna get the job done when it needs to be done, and I have the most faith in him." — Montrell Johnson Jr. on head coach Billy Napier
Florida Football | Head Coach Jon Sumrall Introductory Press ConferenceFlorida Football | Head Coach Jon Sumrall Introductory Press Conference
Tuesday, December 02
Head Coach Jon Sumrall Introductory Press Conference Head Coach Jon Sumrall Introductory Press Conference
Monday, December 01
Florida Football | Jadan Baugh Postgame Media Availability | Florida StateFlorida Football | Jadan Baugh Postgame Media Availability | Florida State
Sunday, November 30
Florida Football | Interim Head Coach Billy Gonzales Postgame Press Conference | Florida StateFlorida Football | Interim Head Coach Billy Gonzales Postgame Press Conference | Florida State
