One last shot for the oldest guy in the Gators’ backfield
By Andrew Olson
Published:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Last season, the Gators turned to Kelvin Taylor, Jordan Cronkrite and Jordan Scarlett at running back. This year, Taylor is a San Francisco 49er and junior college transfer Mark Thompson joins the Florida backfield. Media members, including yours truly, have pondered this offseason whether the three-headed monster will work in the fall.
But we might be leaving off one head: Mark Herndon. Take this exchange from coach Jim McElwain’s media day press conference, for example:
Question: Obviously you mentioned running back being one of the strengths of the team. What are looking for in Cronkrite and Scarlett in year two, and also then Thompson, the JUCO transfer?
McElwain: As a throw-in there, Mark Herndon, as well as (true freshman) Lamical (Perine). … I think you could see us use more pony personnel, some more two-back, three-wides, that kind of stuff, in some of the things we’re doing, because of the versatility that some of those guys bring, including Mark Herndon and Mark Thompson.
Is Herndon really an option, as McElwain suggests, and getting overlooked by the media? The former walk-on has previously impressed as a special teams contributor, but only has 11 carries in his career.
Despite his limited action in the backfield, Herndon has big goals for his final season. He wants to prove he can be a running back – not only at Florida this season, but professionally.
“I’m going to do everything that I can to keep that dream alive, so this is very important to me, this season — just to get some running back film,” he said. “I have a lot of special teams film and some good plays on special teams and people know I can play special teams, but the question is can I play running back in the SEC? And that’s the question I want to answer this year.”
Injuries have kept Herndon out in the past and unable to answer that question.
“This is probably the best camp that I’ve had since I’ve been here healthwise,” Herndon said. “In the past I’ve had my ankle, or coming off my ACL, or just something. This camp I’m actually feeling pretty good.”
The torn ACL, which happened three games into the 2014 season, was particularly devastating.
“I wouldn’t wish that upon anybody — my worst enemy, I would not,” he said. “Because the pain and the rehab and the doubting yourself, everything that you go through with an ACL.”
In his final season, Herndon won’t play in fear of re-injuring the rehabilitated knee or hurting the other one.
“I’m over that hump already,” he said. “Now it’s just focusing on football and not worrying about anything because if I’m going to get hurt, I’m going to get hurt and I can’t do anything to stop that.”
Part of that focus can be seen in the weight room. The 5-foot-9 Forest (Ocala, Fla.) product is up from 195 pounds to 210.
“The biggest thing is being able to run up the middle and not be pushed around,” Herndon said. “Being able to fill in the A-gap when the Mike (linebacker) is coming in.”
This preseason, Herndon is doing the pushing, making the other running backs fight for carries. The redshirt senior has noticed he’s earned an important endorsement.
“This is my best chance to play under Mac. He really likes me right now,” Herndon said. “I’m trying to stay on his good side and just make plays and lead my group as best I can because I’m the oldest guy in the room. When I say something, they’ll listen to me more than anybody else.”
If Herndon can make the most of his opportunity, he may get to lead by example.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
