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Florida Football: 5 takeaways from Gators’ 2018 season

By Connor Muldowney

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Dan Mullen of the Florida Gators reacts in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Dan Mullen of the Florida Gators reacts in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 29: Lamical Perine #22 of the Florida Gators runs for a fourth quarter touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 29: Lamical Perine #22 of the Florida Gators runs for a fourth quarter touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

4. Run game could be scary in 2019

Though the offense is losing Jordan Scarlett to the NFL, the Gators are bringing back a wealth of running backs who could mold this offense into a complete attack next season.

First, you have Lamical Perine who led the team with 750 yards and six touchdowns on 5.9 yards per carry. He will be a senior and likely the workhorse back for the Gators next season, but he’s not going to be the lone option in the backfield despite Scarlett’s departure.

In fact, behind Perine will be soon-to-be sophomore Dameon Pierce who had a stellar freshman season, rushing for 425 yards and two touchdowns with a sparkling 6.5 yards per carry average. He didn’t get as many carries as he would have liked, but he was effective when given the opportunity.

Next, there’s Kadarius Toney who has been a model of efficiency in his two years with the Gators, averaging over 8.0 yards per carry in 2017 and 10.7 on 19 touches in 2018. Will he get more of a look moving forward or is he just a gimmick back?

Lastly, the return of Malik Davis is going to be exciting for Gator fans as he missed most of the season after rushing for over 500 yards as a freshman. He could ease into that No. 2 running back spot for the Gators behind Perine.

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