Advertisement
football Edit

Florida backs close on and off the field

Jordan Scarlett
Jordan Scarlett (USA Today Sports Information)

------

* Contract details on four Florida coaches

* Gators set to scrimmage on Friday

* Washington set to make most of senior season

* Thursday football practice insider notes

* Summer B enrollees Insider Report I

* Summer B enrollees Insider Report II

* Lineman transfers to Florida

* GET TWO MONTHS OF FREE ACCESS

------

During his official visit to the University of Florida, Lamical Perine stayed with Gators running back Jordan Scarlett. The two started to form a friendship at that time, and have continued to remain close - not only sharing carries as the main two options in the Florida backfield, but sharing living quarters as well as they are currently living in the same house together.

Despite competing with one another everyday in practice, Perine said that "We're very close friends. We talk every day. Anytime I have any questions that I have to ask him, he doesn't mind answering them. He's not a selfish guy at all."

Scarlett echoed this sentiment by saying, “I just look at him as a brother. We’re always looking out for each other. If he doesn’t know something or I don’t know something, we’ll always tell each other.”

Though the duo enters camp sitting atop the depth chart, they are hardly Florida's only two options.

There is another duo making a case for playing time.

Two of the five running backs that are hoping to get meaningful snaps this season are Adarius Lemons and Malik Davis, both of whom are freshmen.

Perine, who was in the same spot as Davis and Lemons last year, had some advice for the young running backs.

"I was just like, 'Man, after every practice, watch film over and over. Sit down with the coaches and get help from the older guys.' None of us mind helping those guys out."

Scarlett also shared with us his impressions of the two young men. "I'd say for Malik Davis, he's really flashy. He has a lot of shifty moves. Both of them can catch out the backfield. They're both fast.”

“Adarius, he runs really hard. He runs behind his pads. I like to call him 'Crazy Legs' because he just goes wild.”

With the multitude of running backs at the Gators’ disposal, there is a healthy competition that is occurring between the five men.

Perine has no problem with younger players working to get on the field, and continued by saying, "We've been very competitive. We've been driving each other to do good this camp. Everybody in the room is just getting better at progressing each day."

Scarlett feels like players vying for snaps on Saturdays makes the players better individually and as a group. "It's elevated us a lot. It's just pushing each other. When we're tired, you've got to just dig deep because next man up is always trying to take your spot or do it better."

Scarlett also shared his thoughts on the three guys who could potentially be handing the ball off to him this season.

Of the three quarterbacks, Scarlett had this to say, “Malik [Zaire] is still kind of trying to learn the playbook, but he’s coming along fast for someone who just came in. You could barely tell that he just learned it. Luke [Del Rio] is looking good. Feleipe [Franks] is looking like he can handle the situation, too.”

Perine didn’t go in depth regarding each individual quarterback, but said, “Whoever gets the job, I don’t care as long as we win.”

Just as important to the offense, if not more important, than the quarterback will be the offensive line for the Gators. Coach McElwain said the O-line would be a “true strength” of this football team, and the two running backs talked about the improvement on the line.

Perine said, "I just feel like those guys are communicating better. That's something Coach Mac has really been preaching. We’re really carrying that out on the practice field. I feel like those guys are really doing a good job."

When asked about why the Florida Gators offense will be significantly better this season, Scarlett said, “We’ve finally got an offensive line and an offensive line coach. He’s teaching those guys the right way.”

He continued by saying, “The communication is right. They actually know where their landmarks are, who they need to block. We’ve got a quarterback, a couple of them, who can do some things.”

Scarlett will most likely be the feature back for the season barring any injuries or decrease in production. The combination of the Gators’ depth at the running back position and the growth on the offensive-line could make the Gators a dangerous rush offense this year.

------

Thank you for reading this Inside the Gators article. To discuss it, please visit the Alligator Alley Forum.

Advertisement