The loss of Tim Tebow is the running backs’ gain.
Last season, Tebow averaged more than 15 rushing attempts per game. With his departure, running backs Jeff Demps, Emmanuel Moody, Mike Gillislee and Mack Brown will become the focal point of Florida’s rushing attack.
Running backs coach Stan Drayton believes he has three guys that can definitely contribute each Saturday, and four if Brown, a freshman, can learn the offensive system fast enough.
“To be able to take a kid out and not lose the speed of the game is a huge advantage for any team,” Drayton said. “We’ve got unbelievable depth.”
Aside from the increased number of carries the group will receive in Tebow’s absence, the rushing game will look a little different in an offense that features a prototypical quarterback in John Brantley.
“I think you are going to see a potential for our offense to be more versatile than it ever has and that’s a positive,” Drayton said. “What you are going to see is a little more versatility added to our run game, our play action game and our passing game.”
JENKINS IMPRESSING COACHES: The departure of Brandon Spikes has opened the door for another player to take the starting middle linebacker spot.
On Monday, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said that redshirt freshman Jelani Jenkins and sophomore Jon Bostic are the two competing to fill that void.
Linebackers coach D.J. Durkin event went as far to say that Jenkins will “be out there somewhere.”
“Jelani is a guy that has dynamic speed and explosiveness,” Durkin said. “On top of all that he’s a very smart football player and a very competitive, tough guy – he’ll hit you.”
CORNERBACK BATTLE HEATS UP: The competition for the starting cornerback role opposite of Janoris Jenkins will be one to look out for in training camp.
Austin revealed that Jeremy Brown and Moses Jenkins are the finalists for the spot.
It has been “full speed ahead” with Brown, who missed all of last season because of a back injury.
The freshmen cornerbacks (Cody Riggs, Joshua Shaw and Jaylen Watkins) are also expected to make a run for the position, but Brown and Jenkins were the only two mentioned by name.