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* Gators Spring Practice Day 6 Insider
* McElwain, Nussmeier review Florida's three available quarterbacks
* Notebook: McElwain shares insight about recent spring practices
* Notebook: Florida coordinators discuss direction of each side of the ball
* Bryan stepping into bigger role at defensive tackle for 2017 season
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The 2016 season did not go as planned for running back Mark Thompson.
The JUCO transfer had a rollercoaster of a season as he was underwhelming and had a couple run-ins with the law. The running back promised in the fall that he would eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in his first seven games as a Gator. However, he fell well short of that goal as he failed to even reach 300 yards on the ground in 12 games (299).
Still, Thompson feels he's been making progress during spring practices and is optimistic about the year ahead.
“Just get on the field, make some film for the NFL guys to look at and get some stock to my name,” Thompson said. “I’m headed in the right direction. I’m not heading backward, I’m not taking any steps back. I’m very, very ready to see what’s in store for me these next few months.”
Talking about his redshirt junior season, Thompson says that it was a humbling experience for him.
“I would say last year did motivate me and humble me like you said. Because I made some predictions, I said some things. I was saying a lot before even stepping on the field,” Thompson said. "Yes, it humbled me a lot. And this year like I said I’m just looking forward to my senior year and I will have a lot of focus.”
The lowest point of the season for the 6-foot-2, 237-pound running back was being suspended for the Florida-Georgia game and not making the trip to Jacksonville after being cited for marijuana possession. Six weeks later, he was charged with misdemeanor trespassing. Even though he couldn't play in the UF-UGA game he loved watching as a kid, Thompson said it pushed him in the right direction.
“Not being able to play in that game really hurt,” Thompson said. “It really made me realize ‘Hey I’m not doing the right thing, let me step back and really re-evaluate everything I’m doing, and stay on the right track.'”
The highlight of Thompson’s season came against Iowa in the Outback Bowl after the running back took a screen pass 85-yards for a touchdown to give Florida a 10-3 lead headed into halftime. The big play gave Thompson a confidence boost and momentum headed to spring practice.
“It’s an explosive play. I play for explosive plays; every offensive player should have that mindset. I wouldn’t say it’s normal, but I would like it to be the norm,” Thompson said. “At least a first down every time I touch the ball. That’s what it’s done for me. You didn’t say this, but what it’s done for the team is whenever someone makes an explosive play it gets everybody hyped up. It’s good, it gets everyone fired up. It’s motivating, it turns the momentum.”
Now in the midst of his second set of spring practices in Gainesville, Thompson said he will be looking to stay out of the news for the bad reasons this upcoming season.
“Off-the-field issues, just staying out of any type of newspaper article,” Thompson said. “If it’s anything negative, just positive vibes, positive things all around me and doing the right thing at all times.”
Even though Thompson did not have maybe as productive of a season as his fellow tailbacks, Jordan Scarlett and Lamical Perine, the running back is no stranger to adversity, stemming back from his JUCO days and the road that led him there.
“You’re always going to come across speed bumps, struggles,” Thompson said. “Things that you have to get past on your journey, whatever you’re trying to do. So, I look at it as a speed bump, a learning experience and mistakes that can’t be repeated.”
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