Installing a new offensive scheme can be difficult when there isn’t depth.
That’s an issue the Florida coaching staff is facing with its running back corps.
With the departure of Matt Jones to the NFL Draft, Florida has just two backs on the roster with experience — redshirt sophomore Adam Lane and junior Kelvin Taylor.
Brandon Powell, a running back last season, will be used more as a slot receiver rather than as a true running back next season.
The new pro-style offense marks the fourth scheme in five seasons for Florida, and the third for Taylor.
Although change is something that usually takes time to get used to, Taylor is thrilled with what the new system will allow him to do.
"This offense here is just an offense that’s really, to be honest, just a running back’s dream to be in," Taylor said. "It’s perfect for a back. Zone read, one cut, downhill, catch the ball out the backfield. You got so many things you can do in this offense, and I think it just fits me perfect."
New head coach Jim McElwain and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier have coached some exceptionally talented backs while at Alabama, including NFL Pro Bowler Eddie Lacy, Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram and Heisman finalist Trent Richardson.
Taylor said he reached out to Ingram on Twitter shortly after McElwain was named head coach.
"I know he had great success with Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson and all of those guys," Taylor said. "I also had the chance to talk to Mark Ingram probably like two or three weeks ago and he said like ‘Man, Coach Mac he’s a really good dude’. I say for myself everyday he’s a great guy."
The No. 2 back behind Taylor for Spring is Lane, whose breakout performance came in January’s Birmingham Bowl, where he had 16 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown.
Aside from Lane rumbling in the end zone in the second quarter, it was a rumbling of a different kind — one within his bowels, to be specific — that gave him national recognition along with Internet notoriety.
Clearly visible through his white pants, Lane soiled himself either during or immediately after the touchdown run.
Sure enough, as soon as he came back out from the locker room where he went to change, the images and videos of Lane’s pants were smeared everywhere — Deadspin.com, SB Nation and Busted Coverage all picked it up.
Instead of being embarrassed about the accident, Lane took it in stride, and said he was happy with the popularity it gave him.
"It was the best thing that could have happened," Lane said. "It got a lot of attention and just put me in a place where I was out there publicly and people knew who I was. I really didn’t get a lot of grief from it."
Lane also said he wasn’t even expecting to play during the bowl game, and was grateful at the opportunity having only seen eight carries in the regular season.
"It was awesome to be out and just be able to showcase my talent and take advantage of the opportunity I had," Lane said.
Aside from Lane and Taylor, the running back corps will have the luxury of a four-star back joining the group as Jordan Scarlett (5-foot-11, 205 pounds, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., St. Thomas Aquinas) will step on campus as a true freshman in fall.
Scarlett has the type of talent to compete for the starting job as early as this season, which Taylor said will be welcomed by the running backs.
"We’re going to welcome him into the family," Taylor said. "I’m sure he’s going to work hard and we’re going to accept him and he’s just gonna have a great season."
Follow Morgan Moriarty on Twitter @Morgan_Moriarty
Florida running back Kelvin Taylor (21) celebrates with running back Matt Jones (24) following Taylor's touchdown in the first quarter of Gators' 34-10 win against Commodores on Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee.
