Florida Football: 3 reasons Lorenzo Lingard would be a perfect fit

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 8: Lorenzo Lingard #1 of the Miami Hurricanes runs for a fourth quarter touchdown against the Savannah State Tigers on September 8, 2018 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Miami defeated Savannah State 77-0. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /

2. Good chance of winning starting RB job

The departure of Lamical Perine will be a big one for Florida, but overall, the Gators’ backfield has been a disappointment this season. Florida averaged just 120 yards per game on the group which was the 12th-worst mark in the nation. Perine didn’t quite have the senior year he expected, putting up 539 yards and four touchdowns on 4.6 yards per touch.

On top of that, the depth that was expected from the Florida backfield didn’t pay off. Dameon Pierce was expected to have a breakout year and while he averaged 5.6 yards per touch and had four touchdowns, he accounted for just 271 yards.

Only two running backs broke 100 yards on the season as Emory Jones, the team’s backup quarterback, and Josh Hammond, a receiver, were the only other players to reach that mark.

If Lorenzo Lingard were to pick the Gators, he could immediately step in and fill a void at running back. Perine will be gone and there seems to be a need for motivation from Pierce, Malik Davis and Iverson Clement. Lingard could easily push them and not only that, but be the best of the bunch to fill Perine’s spot.

Lingard probably wants a chance to start and Florida may be the best opportunity for that.

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