Early Scouting Report: Florida Gators
We are less than two months away from the Miami football team reporting to campus for the beginning of fall training camp. Over the next few weeks at CT, we are going to start getting ready for the schedule.
It’s never too early to start getting some homework done. We are now pumping out some early scouting reports as we do some research and take a closer look at the foes on Miami’s schedule. Next up is the team we play first and are rival the Florida Gators.
Run First Offence (based on last year)
Based on last year Billy Napier and his Florida Gators will be doing a run first offence when they come out onto the field against Miami or at least expecting to.
Napier wants to play bully ball on the offensive side of the football and he will run down your throat if you don’t stop it. Florida has two full-time offensive line coaches and a deep tailback room. Florida wants to establish the run. Napier’s team has shown a commitment to getting the ground game rolling early last season so the Hurricanes have to make sure that don’t happen this season.
Expect a heavy run percentage from Florida today.
Playmakers at the RB position
A position group that stands clearly out to me when talking about their top position groups got to be their running back group. Montrell Johnson is back for his senior year at Florida. They did lose Trevor Etienne to the Georgia Bulldogs via the transfer portal but do got some dogs in the backfield to make up for it.
The unit is led by Johnson, he led the team in rushing yards (817) for the second straight season, averaged 5.4 yards per carry and 68.0 yards per game, scored six touchdowns (five rushing and one receiving). He also can hurt you in the air with him catching a career-high 30 passes for 236 yards. In 2022.
Behind Johnson is sophomore Treyaun Webb, who averaged 6.3 yards per carry on 26 attempts as Florida’s third running back in 2023.
These two players are the backbone of what could be a very good Florida offence in 2024.
Rebuilt secondary
Jason Marshall Jr. returns for Florida at safety after recording 24.2 yards per reception and five touchdowns, both were team highs amongst players with 120+ snaps. He is expected to be one of the top cornerbacks in college football. Ja’Keem Jackson and Dijon Johnson is also another two big time players that will play a huge role in the Florida’s defense.
However, there will be some new pieces surrounding Marshall and Ja’Keem along with Johnson. Teddy Foster a three-star recruit coming out of high school, the 247Sports rankings ranked Foster as the No. 63 cornerback and No. 803 prospect nationwide in the class of 2024.
Colorado transfer Cormani McClain will open the season as the cornerback, but he had a hard time finding a role with the Buffalos. At the other cornerback position, Devin Moore, Moore allowed just five receptions for 30 yards on 12 targets while playing in eight games (194 snaps).
Trinton is the owner of CanesToday. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, he is a freshman in high school and wants to graduate from the University of Miami
