Photograph: Montrell Johnson; Credit score: Alex Shepherd 

Following a disappointing 2021 season, the Florida Gators have taken main strides towards higher equipping subsequent 12 months’s unit for elevated success.

Step one taken was appointing former Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Billy Napier as the brand new man on the helm in alternative of Dan Mullen to steer this system into the long run. The subsequent was Napier’s diligence in filling out his on-field and off-the-field employees to finish the huge overhaul.

Nevertheless, since Napier and firm arrived in Gainesville, the analysis of participant personnel has resulted in key veteran additions to spots believed to be vital areas of want earlier than season one of many new regime commences Sept. 3 towards Utah. 

These 5 acquisitions, and counting, by way of the switch portal, have the potential to pay dividends as some step into beginning roles whereas others present necessary depth and rotational flexibility.

Consequently, AllGators takes a take a look at the brand new faces which have arrived by way of the switch portal this offseason and the roles they are going to assume in 2022. 

We kick issues off with sophomore working again Montrell Johnson below the microscope.

The Gators’ newfound emphasis on the bottom recreation will probably be a staple of the offensive recreation plan as they try to wind down opponents and put factors on the board in 2022 and past.

Throughout Napier’s time at UL, there was a close to 60/40 break up within the Ragin’ Cajuns’ play-calling in favor of the run. The staff prospered using that model, and so did the working backs.

With Napier heading to Gainesville and entering into the locker room of a staff that was not just one 12 months faraway from an air-oriented assault however was shedding the staff’s three main rushers from a season in the past (together with quarterback Emory Jones), the need to retool the working again room was massive.

When additionally incorporating the truth that probably the most skilled returning rusher Nay’Quan Wright can be recovering from a extreme ankle damage suffered within the regular-season finale this offseason, it turned crucial.

Consequently, the Napier and working backs coach Jabbar Juluke introduced a well-recognized face with a number of years of remaining eligibility to UF’s campus from their earlier cease.

Taking part in as a real freshman final season, Johnson carried out in an enormous means at UL to be named Solar Belt Freshman of the Yr in 2021 regardless of splitting carries in a three-back rotation with Chris Smith and Emani Bailey.

Johnson out-touched the 2 veteran backs with 162 complete carries for 838 yards and a team-leading 12 touchdowns. An eventful 99-yard run for six highlighted his combination of energy and explosiveness in 2021.

His productive season marked a promising begin to his profession and steered that he was worthy of transferring to the facility 5 with Florida.

Geared up with a robust decrease half and the top-end pace to separate from pursuing would-be tacklers, Johnson is an ideal choice to rush the soccer between the tackles in short-yardage conditions and off-tackle in stretch run ideas for Florida.

His versatility in that regard makes him a helpful piece on paper for Napier to deploy at his disposal.

The Gators’ head coach referred to him as “what the physician ordered” within the Florida floor assault following the orange and blue spring recreation for that purpose.

Whereas he was not utilized out of the backfield within the passing recreation — an obligation that can doubtless be deferred to different backs on the roster — Johnson’s success on the bottom and in cross safety will enable him to see prolonged stretches on the sector.

And, fortunately for Florida followers, that will probably be a breath of recent air as the times of mundane rotations that severely neglects the recent hand seems to have halted.

Nevertheless, whereas his ability set will probably be very important to Florida’s success, and will even dictate the variety of tallies within the win column, what he brings from a psychological standpoint is bigger.

Johnson —regardless of being one of many latest members — will function a veteran of the system. His presence as a high-volume again will proceed to assist others in Florida’s backfield rotation, alongside the likes of Wright, Lorenzo Lingard and Demarkcus Bowman, and will show to be an asset for gamers rising acclimated because the scheme calls for the usage of a number of ball carriers. 

Most significantly, beginning quarterback Anthony Richardson can have one other participant within the offense who understands the sport on a deeper degree to lean on as he embarks on what many count on to be a marketing campaign the place the Gainesville native arrives to star standing.

General, the addition of Johnson has the potential to be the most important of all transfers in each the brief time period in addition to the long run. 

He, if every thing goes accordingly, will assume the function of function rusher to steer the cost for Florida on the bottom.

Keep tuned to AllGators for steady protection of Florida Gators soccer, basketball and recruiting. Comply with alongside on social media at @SI_AllGators on Twitter and Florida Gators on Sports activities Illustrated on Fb.