The Gators return a couple of running backs to the roster from 2021 including redshirt sophomore Nay’Quan Wright (5-9, 202) who was recovering from an ankle injury in the offseason, and redshirt junior Lorenzo Lingard (6-0, 209) who spent two years on the roster not being used after transferring in from Miami.
That doesn’t sound like a lot to start with. But Lingard works as hard as anyone on the team and Wright showed real flashes last season and is a true leader of the bunch.
Florida also added transfer sophomore Montrell Johnson (5-11, 218) who was a star under Napier at Louisiana last year, and freshman Trevor Etienne (5-9, 217) who was a blue-chip recruit coming out of the Bayou State.
Napier likes what he sees in the group.
“I think we’re improving. I think we’ve got some guys in that room that can play winning football,” he said last week when talking to the Florida media. “I think even the young freshman has shown flashes. So I think we’ve got four players that we trust. I think all those guys are smart. I think they’re all dependable. They’ve got maturity.”
Jabbar Juluke is the running back coach for Florida and followed Napier from Louisiana. He’s a guy that expects excellence out of his players and Napier sees that he’s getting it from the group.
“Coach Juluke is doing what he does,” Napier said. “He gets that room ready to play, so those guys have been productive on a consistent basis. Running back sometimes gets overlooked in all that they do for the team: protection, catching the ball, and certainly rushing the ball. That’s a good room. We’ll find out how good when we get to the game setting, but I do think that we’ve got some proven players in Nay’Quan and Montrell. And I think we’ve got Lorenzo, who brings some things to the table, and certainly, the freshman’s a good player too. Time will tell.”
Florida will rely heavily on the running game in the Napier offense every year. The running backs will be complimented heavily by quarterback Anthony Richardson and his running ability as well. The group has excellent size, speed, and ability to make people miss among the ranks. The Gators are going to need all of that with a schedule that many deem a very difficult one.