FanNation - The Republic of Sport

    The Situation:  2007 figures to be another headache year for Urban Meyer at running back, and he must once again scheme his way to success in the backfield.  As last year proved, Urban does not need an elite running back to win championships provided the turnover margin remains as low as possible.  So far the start for the UF backfield this year has gotten off to a rocky start.  Potential starter and blooming back Mon Williams suffered a season ending acl tear in spring practice and will be medical redshirted.  Meanwhile, punt returner, back up running back and semi-primordial dwarf Brandon James was busted in a sting while trying to buy a few grams of 'dat chronic' from a police officer and has been suspended from all football operations indefintely pending the results of felony charges.  This leaves current starter Kestahn Moore and rarely used Chevon Walker as the lone tailbacks with any sort of playing time on the depth chart, and it shouldn't take a rocket scientist more than thirty three seconds to figure out this is a potential problem.

Lakeland High superstar Chris Rainey appears to be the heir to the football throne here at UF, and could potentially provide some help in the backfield.  With only two players returning with significant time on the field, Rainey will be under intense pressure to step  up and help out the team.  The problem however is two fold:  One, will the 5-9 speedster be able to handle the rather hefty playbook of Dan Mullen, and two, will he be able to gain enough weight to make an impact on the field.  Rated a five star by all recruiting services, this kid has the ability to be a stupendous playmaker for Urban Meyer right off the bat if he puts his mind to it.  Running a 4.37 Rainey has the ability to break away at almost any given point, and he can change a game, and then dominate it all by himself.  The younger brother of He Hate Me (Rod Smart), he gained 2,478 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns his senior season, and he even missed two games with the flu, and in the championship game he ran for over 250 yards and three touchdowns.  All the signs point to eventual superstar here at the University of Florida, and you could bet a good chunck of change the weight gain program for this kid has been written up and modified numerous time awaiting his arrival.

The other back committed to the 07 class is Oakland Park, GA speedster Bo Williams.  Considered by many to be a highly rated four star, the upside to this kid is tempered with fears of injury problems after an injury riddled senior season in high school and then suffering a severe shoulder injury in spring practice.  The coaches have yet to grab a feel for Williams, but hopes are his size (6'0, 205) and speed (4.4) can make him a contender for playing time in the fall.  Williams ran for over 1,000 yards his senior season while playing with an ankle injury and hopes to bring some toughness to the running back corps this year. 

I have learned after last year to never doubt Urban Meyer, and I would bet a good deal of money atleast one of these guys will see pretty serious PT this year.  Never the less, we are always looking to the future, and it looks bright, among some of the prospects under Urbans thumb for the class of 2008 are five stars Darrell Scott who boasts a 4.32 forty time, and Gilmer, Texas superstar Justin Johnson.