Florida football: 3 bold predictions for the Gators in 2023
![Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws the ball during fall football practice at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 5, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fd51b1e0350baba7dbd83da2b3a3fd39c128bafd1b61f63b4e78d61e71358126d.jpg "Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) throws the ball during fall football practice at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 5, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]")
Billy Napier’s first season with Florida football didn’t exactly go as planned. The Gators finished below .500 after starting the season with a win over reigning Pac-12 champ Utah.
Going 5-7 the rest of the way felt unacceptable.
Now Napier is bringing back a solid roster but a new quarterback leads the way as Graham Mertz has been named the starter, replacing Anthony Richardson who was selected by the Colts in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Expectations are rising for this season, but will Florida live up to them? Let’s get bold.
3. Florida will have two 1,000-yard rushers
I really like the Florida backfield. They showed a lot of good things last season behind the breakout performance from Trevor Etienne and the continuation of a solid career from Louisiana transfer Montrell Johnson.
Etienne finished with 719 yards and six touchdowns on 6.1 yards per carry while Johnson led the team with 892 yards and 10 touchdowns on 5.4 per touch. Overall, really good season for these newcomers.
But 2023 is going to be even better.
I think Johnson will lead the team in rushing yet again with 1,200 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns and Etienne will also break the 1,000-yard mark and cross the goal line eight times.
The run game is going to be remarkable in 2023.