Florida Spring Football Report: Running backs look to improve on stellar 2024 season

Gators have one of the deepest running back rooms in the SEC

By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com, Football Analyst

Assoicate Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Jabbar Juluke

Associate Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Jabbar Juluke has become synonymous with excellence at the running back position. With stops at LSU, Louisiana, and now Florida, Juluke has developed some of college football’s most celebrated backs. Names like Leonard Fournette, Darius Guice, Eli Mitchell and Raymond Calais have all spent time in the school of Juluke and all were drafted into the NFL. Most notable, Fournette would go on to win a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Mitchell was a member of the San Francisco 49ers squad that played in Super Bowl 58.

Last season Juluke put together another great stable of backs headlined by Montrell Johnson Jr. and Jaden Baugh who provided a ground attack that helped the Gators reach eight wins for the first time since the 2020 season. Baugh led the team in rushing with 673 yards and seven touchdowns including a five touchdown performance against Kentucky. Jonhson, despite playing only 10 games would add 593 yards and five scores. While Johnson is headed to the NFL, Juluke also returns Ja’Kobi Jackson and Treyaun Webb to the group. Jackson was impressive in a reserve role with 509 yards and seven touchdowns while Webb spent most of 2024 dealing with injuries but looks solid this spring and is drawing praise from coaches. "Dont forget about Treyaun Webb," Juluke stated.

Juluke brings a demanding no nonsense style to his group of young backs, unwilling to budge on the details that make or break a great group. Meticulous in nature, his presence is far more than just a coach, but a firm father-figure as well.  “The standard, is the standard,” Juluke said. “We have non-negotiables.” “We are going to compete and work extremely hard off and off the field.” With the return of four offensive line starters including All-American Jake Slaughter there should be plenty of road to for Baugh, Webb, and company should have plenty of room to show what Juluke continues to grow with the Gators.   

Running Back Ja'Kobi Jackson

Other Notes:

Receiver Coach Billy Gonzales was complimentary of transfer receiver J. Michael Sturdivant who according to Gonzales is extremely physical and possesses great speed. Gonzales noted Sturdivant’s ability to play multiple receiver positions and adjust to each position quickly.

Edge Rushers Coach Mike Peterson looks for his unit to be one of the best in the country and was complimentary of newcomers Jalen Wiggins, and Jayden Woods, as well as upperclassmen Tyreak Sapp and George Gumbs Jr. for their leadership and development. “(Sapp) Is the first guy I put in my suitcase when I’m traveling,” stated Peterson.