These days Florida Gators running backs coach Tim Skipper is walking around with a little extra pep in his step.
Since he’s arrived in Gainesville Skipper has had a smile permanently etched across his face. His upbeat demeanor is infectious and with a stable of running backs that would make most coaches jealous, Skipper is really enjoying his job this year.
“Never a headache to have talented guys,” Skipper said with his ear-to-ear smile. “That’s what you want. We built the team a certain way, to be that way and so far it’s going good.”
As sophomore Jordan Scarlett pointed out during fall camp, there is only one football and a stable of five running backs all trying to get the lion’s share of carries. That leaves Scarlett along with junior college transfer Mark Thompson, Jordan Scarlett, Mark Herndon and Lamical Perine all vying for carries.
“They all have their own little special things that they do,” said Skipper. “I’m really enjoying working with them and I’m looking forward to watching them play.”
The Jordan’s, Herndon and Thompson split carries in the spring, but the freshman Perine showed up on campus ready to play. Perine doesn’t have an interest in taking a year off to let the older players duke it out, he’s ready to go right now.
“I tell you what, he’s a guy that runs with great pad level. He’s slippery in there,” McElwain said of Perine after the Gators’ second scrimmage. “I mean, guys bounce off him, and he’s really strong, he’s got a great stiff arm and he’s done some really good things.”
Perine won’t be the first running back to carry a ball on Saturday. On Monday McElwain said that distinction would likely fall into the hands of Scarlett or Thompson, but Perine is enjoying complicating and muddying the picture unexpectedly.
Ideally, Skipper envisions all of his running backs getting carries. The fact of the matter is that there simply won’t be enough carries for all five guys, maybe three. That battle will carry itself into the season and what each back does with the opportunities that present during a game will greatly affect the touches moving forward.
“This is kind of how it goes. It will always be this way. You start the game out. You have a plan. Somebody gets hot, they’re going to be in there,” said Skipper. “You start breaking off some runs. … like I tell the guys, you get an opportunity you make the most of it. If you do, you’re going to get more. If not, then the next guy is up.
Each running back will have packages designed for them. Ultimately the decision of whom will start and carry the load will be decided on he field as it should be. Skipper has a problem than many coaches would kill for. He has more talent than he can put on the field at one time. It doesn’t seem to bother him.
“I’m really enjoying working with them,” he says with that trademark grin. “I’m looking forward to watching them play.”