GAINESVILLE — The Florida football team moved into the team’s indoor practice facility Wednesday evening as thunderstorms neared during the Gators’ 12th practice of fall camp.
Coach Billy Napier planned to elevate the competition among his players during Week 3 as UF prepared for its second scrimmage Saturday in the Swamp. The Gators will be off Thursday and return to the field Friday.
UF provided a 12-minute window for reporters to observe individual drills.
Top takeaway: While his teammates practiced, senior tailback Montrell Johnson Jr. ran on the treadmill as he pushes to return from a minor right knee injury.
Johnson wore his black non-contact No. 1 jersey and full equipment, toting a football as he ran at a good clip.
The 5-foot-11 ¼, 216-pound Louisiana native led UF in rushing yards the past two seasons. Johnson’s absence has allowed a deep yet inexperienced stable of running backs make their case for touches.
“It’s almost a blessing in disguise to some degree that they’re getting meaningful reps,” Napier said Aug. 7.
Johnson’s availability is yet to be determined for the Gators’ Aug. 31 season opener against Miami in the Swamp.
Step forward: No running back has emerged more than Jakobi Jackson, a redshirt junior from Pensacola who transferred in 2023 from Coahoma Junior College in Mississippi.
Jackson was a spring transfer portal signing who was fifth on the depth chart until Tulane transfer Cam Carroll suffered a season-ending knee injury. The 5-foot-10 ½, 209-pound Jackson, who compiled 1,390 yards on 276 carries for 14 touchdowns in 20 games in junior college, is pushing for touches in a crowded running back room.
Meanwhile, Carroll practiced hard Wednesday, making hard cuts and participating fully. Some believed he might not be able to play again after his second serious injury. A sixth-year player, the 6-foot, 230-pound Carroll’s 2022 season ended in the first game of Tulane’s magical 12-win campaign.
Step back: Sophomore Treyaun Webb enters camp as Johnson’s backup but has faced stiff competition from Jackson and true freshmen Jadan Baugh and KD Daniels.
On Wednesday, Webb left practice and did not return during the open window.
Trainer’s room: Offensive lineman Bryce Lovett and safety Bryce Thornton wore non-contact jerseys.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
