New Gators RB Mark Thompson is turning heads at Gators practice.

Florida just completed its first week of spring practice, and the JUCO transfer already has the attention of players and the coaching staff alike.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, it didn’t take Florida coach Jim McElwain long to recognize what he has in Thompson:

“That’s an SEC back, right there,” UF coach Jim McElwain said. “He looks the part. Now we’ll find out when we get pads on.”

Listed at 6-2 and 242 pounds, the former Dodge City Community College running back drew some comparisons to former Alabama RB Derrick Henry from Gators LB Jarrad Davis, according to the Orlando Sentinel’s Jordan McPherson.

Another comparison, coming from Gator Country writer Nick de la Torre, is former Gators RB Matt Jones.

“He’s very big,” offensive lineman David Sharpe said. “He uses his size well and tries to run guys over. I haven’t seen him yet in pads, but we’re going to know.”

Obviously, the common thread in these early-spring comments is that no one around the program has seen how he works in pads.

And that’s a pretty big test yet to be passed by Thompson, who is eyeing an opening in the Gators backfield for the fall.

In somewhat of a surprising decision, Kelvin Taylor decided to forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft this offseason.

It opens up a good percentage of the carries this fall, and Thompson is expected to mix it up with Jordan Cronkrite and Jordan Scarlett in a battle for time in the Gators backfield.

This is a battle to keep an eye on as spring practice progresses.