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Florida Football: Billy Napier depth chart changes for Gators ahead of LSU

By Benjamin Henderson

Sep 17, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2) runs with the ball against the South Florida Bulls during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2) runs with the ball against the South Florida Bulls during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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While the depth chart for Florida football hasn’t been 100% indicative of who will actually be playing, it has been mostly accurate under Billy Napier. His depth chart ahead of Saturday’s contest against LSU does have a couple of key tidbits of information to let us know his plan going forward.

Florida football: Changes at running back

The biggest switch Napier made was at running back with Montrell Johnson being listed as the starter, Trevor Etienne being listed second, and Nay’Quan Wright dropping from first to third. Last Saturday against Missouri, Wright was the listed starter but came on during the second offensive series after Johnson actually got the start.

We commented two weeks ago that Johnson and Wright were clearly a cut above Wright and Napier seemed to come to that realization during the game against Missouri. After Xzavier Henderson’s punt return set Florida football up in Missouri territory, Wright came on and missed a massive hole to run through on the right-hand side and went for a short gain.

Wright wasn’t seen again until the second half and only got five carries for the entire game. Napier seems to be indicating with his depth chart that Johnson and Etienne will be getting the bulk of the carries going forward.

Florida football: Injury along the O-line

Beyond the semantics of who is starting at running back, the most significant nugget within the depth chart was right guard O’Cyrus Torrence being listed as questionable for Saturday with a lower body injury. Torrence is also listed as the starter, so the Gator staff still anticipates that Torrence playing.

Napier said at his press conference:

"“I think we’ll be OK. We’re just telling you the truth. He’s a guy who hasn’t participated in practice.”"

While Torrence is listed as questionable, Florida football will be getting back a previously injured lineman for the game. Michael Tarquin left the Kentucky game and Austin Barber has filled in at right tackle since. Barber has done a good job in Taruin’s absence and is still listed as the starter for LSU.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Barber get the majority of snaps while Tarquin gets rotated in for a series or two while he gets back up to speed.

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