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RB yards after contact a focal point for Florida Football fans moving forward

Yards after contact has come into focus the past two weeks

By Benjamin Henderson

Sep 21, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Florida Gators running back Treyaun Webb (5) runs the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Florida Gators running back Treyaun Webb (5) runs the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images / Matt Bush-Imagn Images
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The running back room was viewed as a position of strength for Florida Football heading into the 2024 campaign. With Montrell Johnson established as the lead running back, Billy Napier has opted to rotate a stable of guys behind him.

But one thing has been clear the last two games, there is an intensity difference between Florida's starting back and the players who get rotated in.

Florida Football: Run Angry

At an initial glance, Johnson's stat line has been fine. He has an average of 4.8 yards per carry, and most fans remember his 71-yard touchdown against Miami as proof he can still be the effective running back he has always been since arriving in Gainesville.

In part due to an ineffective offensive line, Johnson had a stat line against Texas A&M we have almost never seen before: 7 carries, -7 yards.

That same game, Treyaun Webb had six carries for 37 yards,

Ja'Kobi Jackson had four carries for 23 yards, and even Jadan Baugh had 1 carry for 5 yards.

Against Mississippi State, Johnson had a better game of 15 carries for 66 yards for an average of 4.4 yards per carry.

Webb, Jackson, and Baugh combined for 15 carries and 112 yards rushing.

There are caveats to everything, but one of the core stats that jumps out between Johnson and the rest of Florida's backs over the past two games has been the yards after contact.

Johnson has 55 yards after contact the past two games on 22 carries for an average of 2.5 yards after contact.

Florida's other three backs have 107 yards after contact on 31 carries for an average of 3.4 yards after contact.

The eyeball test backs these numbers up as fans have noted how hard Webb, Jackson, and Baugh run into the hole versus trying to dance around looking for the perfect opening.

Outside of his 71-yard run against Miami, Johnson is averaging 3.4 yards per carry on his other 47 runs.

Part of it is Napier's preferred run scheme promotes having a patient running back, so in the past, Johnson hasn't needed to be as quick to turn upfield to be successful.

But with Florida's offensive line having its own share of run-blocking issues, Johnson's passive style isn't the best match for this line. Napier is probably going to need to consider using Webb, Jackson, and Baugh more because he might run need a back willing to run straight through someone when the opening never develops.

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