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Billy Napier discusses young Florida running backs

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•11/07/22
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Florida running back Trevor Etienne stiff-arms a defender in a 24-17 win over Missouri on Oct. 8, 2022. (James Gilbert / Getty Images)

Florida probably hasn’t gotten off to quite the start many fans would have hoped for in Billy Napier‘s inaugural season leading the program, but there are a handful of positive things to build on going forward. One of them is an excellent set of young Florida running backs.

One of the first roster additions the Gators made after Napier took charge was the transfer of Montrell Johnson from Louisiana. He has emerged as the team’s leading rusher this season.

But not trailing him by much is true freshman Trevor Etienne, a four-star prospect Napier was able to convince to jump on board late in the 2022 recruiting cycle.

“I think those two guys have been a huge bright spot relative to what we’ve been able to do offensively,” Napier said Monday. “No question. Two new players, both of which are getting more comfortable, very capable. Both are smart players. Both are very consistent in their work ethic, their practice habits, their prep during the week.”

Johnson currently leads the team with 92 carries for 549 yards and eight touchdowns. Etienne, meanwhile, has logged 81 carries for 467 yards and four touchdowns.

Both have also caught some passes, with Johnson at nine catches for 55 yards and Etienne at seven catches for 31 yards.

“They’ve got discipline,” Napier said. “They take care of themselves. They both have character. And they certainly have been very productive.”

Montrell Johnson, Travis Etienne promising young Florida running backs

That the young Florida running backs have been so productive this season has essentially been a must.

The Gators lost Dameon Pierce to the NFL, where he has quickly emerged as a star for the Houston Texans. They also lost Malik Davis to the NFL, while veteran Nay’Quan Wright has missed the team’s last three games.

“We’ve rolled the other guys in at times,” Napier said. “But I think when those two — we kind of saw it — they were both in a good place Saturday. We were able to continue to feature those guys. So it was good.”

Indeed, Johnson and Etienne were instrumental in a 41-24 win over Texas A&M, with the duo combining to run for 180 yards and a touchdown on 39 carries, while also adding two catches for 20 yards.

The best part?

Both of the young Florida running backs still have multiple years eligibility remaining, leaving the Gators in good shape to build around them moving forward into the Napier era.