Florida Gators tightest position battle this spring

Kelvin Taylor flourished in Jim McElwain and Doug Nussmeier’s offense as a junior. Taylor led the Florida Gators in carries (259), yards (1,035) and touchdowns (13). Those are big shoes to fill but thanks to two solid years of recruiting the position Florida has a deep stable of running backs more than willing and able to carry the load.

The Players

Mark Thompson
Jordan Scarlett
Jordan Cronkrite
Mark Herndon

Mark Thompson enrolled at Florida in January after two years at Dodge City Community College in Kansas. Thompson was named a Second Team NJCAA All-American after rushing for 1,298 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2015.

At 6-2 and 230 pounds, Thompson has great size but isn’t just a bruising between the tackles back; he has above average speed, quickness and agility, especially for a player his size. In speaking to Gator Country on our podcast, Thompson expressed his cognizance that as a junior college transfer his time is limited. With only two years of eligibility left Thompson can see the sand quickly sifting to the bottom of the hourglass and he’s determined not to waste anytime in Gainesville.

Challenging Thompson for carries are Jordan’s Scarlett and Cronkrite.

Cronkrite played in 12 games as a freshman, carrying the ball 44 times for 157 yards and three touchdowns. Scarlett played in just nine games with 34 carries, 181 yards and one touchdown. Both ran behind their pads well, weren’t afraid of contact and looked the part of SEC running backs but Scarlett had a tough time adjusting to college and not being a bigger part of the offense. Kelvin Taylor owned nearly 75% of the running back carries with Treon Harris and Will Grier carrying the ball more times than Scarlett.

The question for Scarlett will be how will he handle a situation where Thompson is the No. 1 running back? Does it fuel him to compete in practice, in the weight rooms and meetings? Or has he not learned and grown from the experiences in his freshman season.

Cronkrite and Scarlett both showed an ability to pass block, something we have yet to see from Thompson, but should get a look early on in spring camp.

Mark Herndon will figure in mostly on special teams, an area where he has excelled in his time at Florida.

This position battle will be one of the most tightly contested in spring camp. The three atop the depth chart will all have an equal opportunity to earn the starting job and this is likely a battle that will continue on throughout spring and into fall camp

Projected opening spring depth chart:
Mark Thompson
Jordan Cronkrite
Jordan Scarlett
Mark Herndon