Within the first few days of fall camp, Florida’s projected senior starting running back Montrell Johnson Jr. injured his knee, leading to him undergoing an arthroscopic procedure.
Moreover, his status for UF’s season-opener against Miami is unknown and could leave a big hole to fill in the Gators’ backfield. But head coach Billy Napier feels confident that someone in the position group will step up and prove themselves.
“I know Treyaun Webb has game experience, and I trust him,” Napier said. “He’s by far the best protector, he’s tough, he’s durable, he’s smart. But, also, standing back there behind it, I’m watching Jadan Baugh and Ja’Kobi [Jackson] and KD [Daniels] in these two scrimmages. We feel good about that room.”
Despite Johnson Jr.’s injury, Napier added that the senior running back is doing fantastic in his rehab process and is considered week-to-week. Upon his return, the Gators will be retaining their leading rusher from the last two seasons.
Johnson Jr. started in 11 games for UF last year and played in all 12, posting 854 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 5.4 yards per carry. He also showed his ability to catch out of the backfield at a career pace, having caught 30 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown.
Sophomore running back Treyaun Webb will be the most experienced Gator if the absence of Johnson Jr. lingers into Week 1. Webb played in 11 games for Florida last season, totaling 163 rushing yards on 26 attempts.
Rounding out Florida’s backfield in 2024 will be a duo of freshmen with Jadan Baugh and KD Daniels. Baugh was a four-star recruit according to On3 and was originally committed to Arkansas. The true freshman put on a show during UF’s Orange and Blue Game this spring.
The 6-foot, 227 pound Baugh finished with 12 carries for 77 yards, with his best run of the day coming on a 25-yard burst in his first time ever playing in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Daniels entered the program as a four-star recruit according to 247Sports. He was also named the No. 4 overall recruit in Mississippi, per On3. He led West Point to a state championship and signed with Florida over Alabama, Ole Miss and Florida State.
Contact Max Tucker at mtucker@alligator.org. Follow him on X @Max_Tuckr1.
Max Tucker is a junior transfer student at UF. After obtaining his A.A. in Journalism from Santa Fe College in 2023, he chose further his education at Florida's College of Journalism and Communications. Max is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a specialization in sports and media. He enjoys golfing and going to the beach with his friends in his free time.
