Montrell Johnson: Florida Gators’ Key Player for the 2024 Season

Florida running back Montrell Johnson is gearing up for his senior season, ready to take on a leadership role in the Gators’ backfield. Johnson, who hails from New Orleans, Louisiana, has had a remarkable collegiate career so far. In his three seasons, including two in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Johnson has racked up 2,496 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns, maintaining an impressive average of over 800 yards and 5.2 yards per carry each season.

Johnson has been a consistent workhorse, receiving at least 152 carries every year. This season, with Johnson at the top of the Gators’ depth chart heading into fall camp, his workload is expected to increase even more.

“I expect to get the ball more coming into the future this next season,” Johnson said, discussing how he manages his workload. “I feel like I can handle the load on my own and just go out there and make sure I play mistake-free football.”

Playing mistake-free football is indeed one of Johnson’s strengths. The 5’11”, 213-pound running back has only fumbled twice in 517 touches. Impressively, Johnson hasn’t fumbled since his first game in Orange and Blue against Utah in the opening week of the 2022 season.

In addition to his prowess as a rusher, Johnson made significant strides as a pass catcher in 2023. He more than doubled his career single-season reception total, catching 30 passes for a career-high 236 receiving yards, averaging 7.9 yards per catch. Despite these improved numbers, Johnson believes he still has more to prove as a pass catcher.

“I would say my catching ability,” Johnson said when asked about the skills he wants to showcase this season. “Honestly, I just want to catch more balls out of the backfield, get in space more, and show my ability to make the first defender miss, stuff like that.”

Johnson has also grown as a leader, a role he’s embraced partly thanks to veteran quarterback Graham Mertz.

“His first year here, I was quiet because he just got there, but that next year he fired up,” Johnson said about Mertz’s leadership. “I’m here now, and I’ve established myself in the offense.”

As a seasoned player, Johnson is also focused on mentoring the younger running backs on the team. One standout is freshman Jadan Baugh, who was a four-star recruit in the 2024 class.

“I would say Jadan Baugh, our freshman running back,” Johnson noted when asked about a player who might surprise this year. “He’s been shocking me every single day with the way he preps, comes to work every day, and the way he attacks. Him being a freshman is kind of surprising to me.”

Entering the 2024 season, Johnson is seen as a veteran on a team eager to make a statement. The excitement in the locker room is palpable.

“In the locker room, it’s very exciting,” Johnson shared with the media on Wednesday. “The upcoming schedule, I feel like the guys are using it as motivation and looking at it as 12 opportunities to prove ourselves to the nation.”

Florida’s 2024 college football season kicks off with a week-one matchup against Miami. With Montrell Johnson leading the charge in the backfield, the Gators are poised to showcase their talent and determination. Johnson’s combination of experience, skill, and leadership will be crucial as Florida aims to make a significant impact this season.

Johnson’s journey from a quiet player to a team leader exemplifies his growth and dedication. As he prepares to handle an increased workload and take on a mentoring role, Johnson’s contributions both on and off the field will be invaluable for the Gators. Fans can look forward to seeing Johnson’s continued development as he strives to prove his abilities and lead Florida to success in 2024.

Disclaimer

This content has been generated by an artificial intelligence language model. While we strive for accuracy and quality, please note that the information provided may not be entirely error-free or up-to-date. We recommend independently verifying the content and consulting with professionals for specific advice or information. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the use or interpretation of this content.