Florida Gators Running Back Competition

Mike Gillislee had a very good year last season, but he is gone and the Gators will have to rely on some  other backs. Matt Jones is the starter coming out of spring camp and he will likely keep that job throughout the season. He played very well when given the chance last season, namely against Florida State. He is slower than Gillislee, but he is till pretty fast and he is much stronger. He will run with more power than Gillislee, but the break away speed will not be their. There should not be much of a drop off in the running game because Jones is just as talented as Gillislee. If there is a drop off in the running game, it will be because the Gators will be passing more due to Driskel's, developed passing abilities. The Gators should also get more run out of Jones since he is only a sophomore, he has at least another year to play after this one.

According to the Gator post spring depth chat, Mack Brown is the second string running back. Brown has had his chances to be the starting running back, but he has not been able to capitalize off of them. He has not been very effective when has gotten in game chances, which hurts him when coaches are looking for someone to come in and give the starter some rest. He needs to work on becoming a more effective runner when he is giving the chances. He needs to prove this during the summer and fall workouts, in order to keep his job as the top backup running back on the team.

Kelvin Tayor, Fred Taylor's son, is apparently hot on Brown's tail for the backup running back job. Taylor is probably the most talented back on the roster, but since he is a true freshmen, he has to learn the little things that all the other running backs know. When he learns those things, he will be on the fast track to getting a lot of touches. I think coaches will turn to Taylor when they need a spark in the offense which could be a lot.

Matt Jones is entrenched as the starter for this season and that should not change, barring major injury. I think he will end up with around 1300 yards and 18 TD's. He will be very effective near the goal line since he is a bigger back and he is also elusive, a good combination near the goal line. Mack Brown should not be comfortable where he is at right now, Taylor is nipping at his heals. I think Taylor will end up in the backup role that Brown currently holds. He is more talented, he just needs to learn the offense a bit more.