Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. has rushed for 2,496 yards and 27 touchdowns in his career. (Photo: Maddie Washburn/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: Johnson Injured, Napier Discusses Camp
Sunday, August 4, 2024 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Senior running back Montrell Johnson Jr. is an important piece of Florida's offense heading into the 2024 season.
The Gators will be without Johnson for an undetermined stretch as he recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery last week. Reports surfaced Saturday afternoon that Johnson suffered a knee injury that required medical attention and he is listed "week-to-week" entering the second week of preseason camp.
Johnson has been a rock for head coach Billy Napier's program since Napier took over prior to the 2022 season. Johnson transferred from Louisiana to join Napier at UF and split carries with Trevor Etienne his first two seasons at UF. With Etienne now at Georgia, Johnson figures to carry more of the load. He has 2,496 career rushing yards and 27 touchdowns.
Florida will turn to a group of young runners to fill Johnson's void, led by sophomore Treyaun Webb and true freshmen KD Daniels and Jadan Baugh.
Johnson joined Napier, quarterback Graham Mertz and linebacker Shemar James last month at SEC Media Days in Dallas. He talked about his expectations to get more carries as a senior and the depth behind him despite Etienne's departure.
Baugh stood out in the Orange & Blue Game in the spring and is a player Johnson said has a bright future.
"He's been shocking me every single day the way he preps, coming to work every day, and the way he attacks,'' Johnson said. "Him being a freshman is kind of surprising to me."
COMPETITION HEATS UP
Meanwhile, Napier spoke to reporters on Saturday afternoon to discuss the first week of preseason camp as the Gators prepare for the season opener Aug. 31 at home against Miami.
You can check out Napier's press conference below:
MIAMI MOOD
The Hurricanes visit The Swamp for the first time in 16 years and enter their third year under head coach Mario Cristobal.
With less than four weeks until kickoff, let's take a look at a few headlines early in Miami's camp:
— Miami's secondary is inexperienced and Daryl Porter Jr. and Damari Brown are in position for bigger roles writes Kaushik Sampath of the Miami Herald.
— Longtime Hurricanes Zion Nelson and Michael Redding III have retired due to medical reasons writes Adam Lichtenstein of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
— Hurricanes beat writer Manny Navarro of The Athletic offers 10 thoughts on the program entering Cristobal's third season via The New York Times.
TOPICAL TWEET
One of the greatest athletes of our lifetime has spent the past few years training with the Gators and is once again making headlines in the Olympics.
Next time she is in town, maybe she could come by the Heavener Football Training Center and share some lessons with the Gators.
Katie Ledecky is a special talent ...
The Gators will be without Johnson for an undetermined stretch as he recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery last week. Reports surfaced Saturday afternoon that Johnson suffered a knee injury that required medical attention and he is listed "week-to-week" entering the second week of preseason camp.
Johnson has been a rock for head coach Billy Napier's program since Napier took over prior to the 2022 season. Johnson transferred from Louisiana to join Napier at UF and split carries with Trevor Etienne his first two seasons at UF. With Etienne now at Georgia, Johnson figures to carry more of the load. He has 2,496 career rushing yards and 27 touchdowns.
Embrace the grind. 💪 pic.twitter.com/0IEWuqmQZA
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) August 3, 2024
Florida will turn to a group of young runners to fill Johnson's void, led by sophomore Treyaun Webb and true freshmen KD Daniels and Jadan Baugh.
Johnson joined Napier, quarterback Graham Mertz and linebacker Shemar James last month at SEC Media Days in Dallas. He talked about his expectations to get more carries as a senior and the depth behind him despite Etienne's departure.
Baugh stood out in the Orange & Blue Game in the spring and is a player Johnson said has a bright future.
"He's been shocking me every single day the way he preps, coming to work every day, and the way he attacks,'' Johnson said. "Him being a freshman is kind of surprising to me."
COMPETITION HEATS UP
Meanwhile, Napier spoke to reporters on Saturday afternoon to discuss the first week of preseason camp as the Gators prepare for the season opener Aug. 31 at home against Miami.
You can check out Napier's press conference below:
MIAMI MOOD
The Hurricanes visit The Swamp for the first time in 16 years and enter their third year under head coach Mario Cristobal.
With less than four weeks until kickoff, let's take a look at a few headlines early in Miami's camp:
— Miami's secondary is inexperienced and Daryl Porter Jr. and Damari Brown are in position for bigger roles writes Kaushik Sampath of the Miami Herald.
— Longtime Hurricanes Zion Nelson and Michael Redding III have retired due to medical reasons writes Adam Lichtenstein of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
— Hurricanes beat writer Manny Navarro of The Athletic offers 10 thoughts on the program entering Cristobal's third season via The New York Times.
TOPICAL TWEET
One of the greatest athletes of our lifetime has spent the past few years training with the Gators and is once again making headlines in the Olympics.
Next time she is in town, maybe she could come by the Heavener Football Training Center and share some lessons with the Gators.
Katie Ledecky is a special talent ...
An icon, from a few football seasons ago in Gainesville. pic.twitter.com/Izssx08YmH
— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) August 3, 2024
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