Florida Football: 3 breakout candidates for spring 2022

Florida football is entering a new era and it’s time to see if the Gators have what it takes to compete in year one of Billy Napier.

It’s been a busy offseason for Florida football thus far, parting ways with Dan Mullen and hiring Billy Napier who helped sign the No. 16 recruiting class in the country for 2022 and he’s also bringing in some impressive transfers.

On top of that, the Gators are losing Emory Jones to the transfer portal and they’ll be tasked with finding his full-time replacement.

Spring ball has begun and Napier is going to need some guys to step up and assume star roles in order to help complete a quick turnaround.

Who could break out for the Gators this spring?

Not many fans of SEC football know the name Montrell Johnson yet, but that’s soon to change.

The Louisiana running back transfer followed his head coach to Gainesville and while Florida has Nay’Quan Wright projected to start, I could see Johnson taking over the lead role this spring. The Gators also have Demarkcus Bowman from Clemson and Lorenzo Lingard from Miami who could push for that lead back role but I like what Johnson brings to the table.

Johnson has starting experience, rushing for 838 yards and 12 touchdowns on 5.2 yards per carry as a freshman for the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Florida needs someone to step up at running back this spring and you can bet Billy Napier likes what he has in his own running back from Louisiana.