How Will Florida's Top Running Back Being Injured Impact Its Game Against Miami?

Florida will potentially be without its top running back Montrell Johnson, Jr . when Miami comes to Gainesville on Aug. 31.

According to Locked On Gators host Brandon Olsen , “The Florida Gators will be without running back Montrell Johnson for at least the first couple of games of the 2024 season.” This is because of a knee injury. While Olsen does not know the exact injury to Johnson’s knee, he also brings up another important note.

“From what I’ve been told, six to eight weeks (out of the lineup) is the expectation for him to miss.”

Assuming the information Olsen is receiving comes to fruition, Miami’s defense will not be going against one of the SEC’s better all-around running backs. Johnson’s 2023 statistics include playing with now Georgia running back Trevor Etienne and also playing in an offense that did not throw the football down the field very well.

Instead, teams focused their attention on slowing down Johnson and Etienne. Here are Johnson’s numbers ( CFB Stats ):

152 attempts, 817 yards, a 5.4 average, and 5 touchdowns. As for his best games, Johnson went for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns versus McNeese State, 135 yards and 1 touchdown versus Vanderbilt, 82 yards versus Georgia, 85 yards versus Missouri, and 107 yards and 1 touchdown against Florida State. He’s a threat to catch the football, too.

30 receptions, 236 yards, a 7.9 average, and 1 touchdown. His best game came against LSU with 6 catches for 65 yards.

Now for the big question. Which Florida running back(s) step into the role left by Johnson’s injury?

The best guess is Treyaun Webb , a sophomore from Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian who did play in 11 games last fall. Here are his statistics:

26 carries, 163 yards, a 6.3 average, and 2 touchdowns. The only game with significant playing time would be against McNeese State. 14 rushes for 71 yards and 2 touchdowns.

With Billy Napier being a run-first head coach, it will be interesting to see if he places more responsibility on his sixth-year senior quarterback Graham Mertz and the passing game. Mertz is certainly accurate with a 2023 passing percentage of 72.9%, and UF is bringing in Arizona State transfer Elijah Badger to go along with the speedy Eugene Wilson III . That’s a talented combination of players. There's still no guarantee Florida's passing game will do well against Miami if Johnson does not play.

First off, UM's defensive front is loaded with talent and led by Rueben Bain, Jr ., as he had an impressive freshman campaign with 7.5 sacks. As a team, the Canes recorded 35 sacks last year. Florida will have to be careful with when and how it throws the football. Here are a couple of prime reasons why.

Will the Gators’ passing game be effective when combined with an inexperienced running back room? Behind Webb might be true freshman Jadan Baugh . Not only does UF’s coaching staff need to get their young runners ready for Miami’s run defense, which came in at #12 nationally last season by allowing 105.6 yards per game, but there’s also the concern about pass protection.

As a general rule, most young running backs struggle with blitz pickups. That’s why college coaches usually give them the football when they enter the lineup. UF is not in a situation to have that luxury with Johnson injured.

There are often missed blocking assignments as knowing all the checks and blocking assignments can confuse a young player. Those two concerns could end very poorly for the Gators and provide an edge to the Hurricanes. To that point, Miami middle linebacker Francisco Mauigoa returns after registering 7.5 sacks last season. He's an excellent blitzer.

Time will tell just how long Johnson will be out of the lineup. For now, it appears that Florida is going to be without a prime offensive weapon when facing Miami.