Florida’s running back room took a hit during the second week of fall camp as redshirt sophomore Treyaun Webb underwent hamstring surgery, per Graham Hall of 247Sports. While the Gators are hopeful to get Webb back in the fold at some point this season, you can expect a trio of running backs in KD Daniels, Duke Clark, and Bryon Louis to compete for snaps as Florida’s third running back.
It’s no secret that sophomore Jadan Baugh and redshirt senior Ja’Kobi Jackson will hold a majority of the running back workload in 2025. But fall camp is about establishing roles, whether that’s as a starter or a third string depth piece. The third string running back is more likely to be called upon for significant reps due to the physicality of the position and the nature of the SEC.
In 2024, the Gators had three running backs log 95+ carries on the season as Montrell Johnson dealt with constant injuries. In 2023, Trevor Etienne missed a game with an injury and Treyaun Webb stepped in as RB2, rushing four times for 70 yards vs Vanderbilt.
“We have competition for who’s the third back. That’s a big-time role in our offense. We know that running backs get banged up. I don’t think we’ve had a year where the top two, one of those guys will get banged up,” head coach Billy Napier said. “But we got a lot of work to do to figure out who that is.”
Redshirt freshman KD Daniels is the leading candidate to take the role as the only second year player in the mix. Daniels appeared in four games throughout his rookie campaign in 2024, rushing for 77 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. In Florida’s bowl game vs Tulane, Daniels recorded a career high 55 rushing yards on five carries and logged a 25-yard touchdown run, the first of his career.
“He’s doing good. He’s doing really good. I think he’s trusting his eyes. His eye discipline is improving, his footwork is more consistent,” Napier said on Daniels. “I think the protection component; he’s becoming more of a student of the game – and I think he’s doing a better job.”
The 5’11.5, 203 pound running back is up five pounds from last season and looks considerably stronger and more explosive.
“Physical runner, tough. KD’s in love with it, right, he wants, he’s hungry. He wants to go prove he can play. He was battling injury last year, and he put on some weight, he’s about 205 right now, which I’m extremely proud of him with. He’s competitive. I think that KD’s gonna surprise some people with his speed, his agility, his physicality as a runner,” running back coach Jabbar Juluke said on Daniels. “He’s good in pass protection, he’s improving as a pass-catcher, so he has a lot of room to work with that, and I’m anxious to see what he’s going to be able to do for us at some point in time this season.”
Freshman Duke Clark had one of the more impressive off-season’s in Gainesville, gaining 21 pounds over summer and weighing in at 211 pounds ahead of fall camp.
“I would say, his mentality and just his ability, like, how mature he is now. Like, from January to now, he’s still a freshman, but, like, we wouldn’t think he’s a freshman. So just how he going day by day, every day in the facility and stuff and handling his business,” teammate Ja’Kobi Jackson said on Clark’s weight gain. “He’s still fast. He’s still the same, I would say. Still fast, quick. He just got stronger.”
Clark enrolled at UF in the spring semester, rushing eight times for 25 yards and a touchdown during Florida’s Orange and Blue spring game. Clark also caught three passes for 21 yards.
Freshman Bryon Louis didn’t enroll at UF until the summer, which puts him at a disadvantage for early playing time. However, Napier noted that Louis has ‘flashed a little bit’ after just four fall practices.
Teammate Ja’Kobi Jackson praised Louis’ mentality and work ethic as a true freshman.
“I would just say, energy and just his mentality in the room,” Jackson said on Louis. “Like, even though he was one of the last running backs to get here, he still came in, he’s eager to learn, and he gets to work. He’s very coachable.”
Daniels, Clark, and Louis are expected to compete for the third running back spot throughout fall camp.