Jordan Scarlett ready to run on Missouri, show what he can do with more carries
By Andrew Olson
Published:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Before the Gators landed back in Florida after a 13-6 win at Vanderbilt in Week 5, a consensus had formed among media members and fans alike: Jordan Scarlett needs more carries.
The sophomore running back is the team’s leading ball-carrier through five games, having logged 55 carries for 274 yards and four touchdowns. He might be getting the most rushes among Florida’s running backs, but it’s clear that the committee approach is keeping him from getting the amount he’s earned.
He said the right things to the media about his workload and whether he felt he would be getting more carries.
“No, not yet. I’m just here to be a team player,” Scarlett said when asked if he expected to get more carries. “I didn’t come to Florida to be anything like that, I’m just here to win championships. So whatever it takes to help the team out, I’m all for it.”
When asked how he would potentially benefit from more carries, however, he was honest.
“Yeah, I definitely feel I can get a better rhythm (with more snaps), get a feel of the defense and how they’re playing and how their tendencies are, get a feel for my O-line throughout the drive too,” Scarlett said. “But I’m just helping the team, so if I do get a whole drive, I’ll make the best happen.”
Part of that comes from making observations on the field that he can’t make from the bench.
“As far as just, you know, outside zone plays, I see if my tackle can get the D-end reached. If he can’t get him reached, next time I’ll know I’ve got to stick a foot or something like that,” Scarlett said about getting a better feel with more snaps. “Just tendencies like that that I can pick up throughout the game that I can’t really see from the sidelines sometimes.”
If he gets more snaps against Missouri, he likes his opportunity.
“I really think yeah, we can run the ball on them,” Scarlett said. “I was watching film on them vs LSU and Georgia. They did a really good job of running the ball against them. I feel like we have better backs and we can get the job done.”
While Scarlett is certainly alone in thinking that Florida’s ball-carriers are better than Derrius Guice (Leonard Fournette did not play against Mizzou), Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, no one is going to criticize a player for talking up his teammates.
With more carries, Scarlett could potentially draw comparisons to those Tigers and Bulldogs, too. The former four-star signee runs hard and physical while also flashing breakaway speed that makes him a potential home run threat. Those are qualities many teams look for in a feature back.
Week after week, Florida coach Jim McElwain has referenced his team’s need for more explosive running plays. The Gators have just 23 double-digit runs, ranking 12th in the SEC. Last year, Scarlett logged the longest run of the season, a 60-yard carry for an almost touchdown against Georgia. This year, the Gators have yet to record a carry of 40-plus yards.
If Scarlett starts getting more carries, he might pick up on a tendency that leads to breaking off another 60-yard run. There’s only one way to find out.
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.
