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Florida football: Five reasons to have hope for the Gators in 2023

By Benjamin Henderson

Nov 12, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier run out of the tunenl withlinebacker Lloyd Summerall III (99), defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen (33) and teammates prior to the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier run out of the tunenl withlinebacker Lloyd Summerall III (99), defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen (33) and teammates prior to the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (7) rushes the sideline for a 80+ yard touchdown during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 12, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs South Carolina GamecocksSyndication Gainesville Sun
Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (7) rushes the sideline for a 80+ yard touchdown during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 12, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs South Carolina GamecocksSyndication Gainesville Sun /

Florida Football Reasons For Hope No. 2: The running backs are a top-ten unit

For all the gloom and doom surrounding Mertz and his ability to throw the ball, people seem to forget that a team can also run the ball to advance it closer to the endzone.

And while a lot of the offseason focus has been on Mertz, Wilson, and some of the new guys on the defensive side of the ball, one shouldn’t forget that Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson are back for the Gators.

Last season Florida football was tied for 10th in the country with an average of 5.3 yards per rushing attempt. It is not hyperbole to state that Etienne and Johnson are a top-ten duo in the country entering 2023.

Florida also added Tulane transfer Cam Carroll, a very capable running back in his own right, and have true freshman Treyaun Webb waiting in the wings.

The massive caveat to this hope was the number one concern we listed, and if the offensive line falls apart, then this unit will struggle.

But in the Spring Game, even with a decrepit offensive line in front of them, Johnson still managed 9.6 yards per carry, and Etienne had 5.7 yards per carry while Carroll and Webb flashed as well.

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