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Sunday, May 05, 2024

You could call it the Kestahn Moore show.

Or maybe it'll be the Chris Rainey extravaganza.

Prep yourself for the Emmanuel Moody spectacle as well.

There might even be a guest appearance by Jeff Demps.

Basically, UF's run game is going to be a whole lot more than just Percy Harvin and Tim Tebow this year. While Moore was a staple of the Gators rushing attack last season - and is still the anticipated starter based on leadership - you're going to get a dose of several new and talented runners.

Rainey busted out in the Orange and Blue scrimmage this spring, and Moody proved his talent at Southern Cal before he transferred to UF. Demps ran a 10.01 100-yard dash this summer, and UF coach Urban Meyer loves speed.

So while Moore is the anticipated starter, does it really matter who starts with so many new threats?

Rainey shakes his head: Nope. Moody gives the same reaction.

Whoever is out there better get ready to fulfill some big expectations.

"Our running back group is as good as any other running back group in the country," running backs coach Kenny Carter said.

Considering Moore had untimely fumbles, Rainey missed most of the season with a shoulder injury and Moody is an incoming transfer, that's a tall order.

But the group certainly isn't backing down.

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"We have to have a minimum of 1,000 yards (collectively)," Rainey said.

That's a goal set by Meyer, too. Meyer simply looked at all the backs one day and told them he wanted 1,000 yards from them. Then, after he locked eyes with all of them, he left the room.

With the health of Percy Harvin still unknown and tight end Cornelius Ingram done for the season with a torn ACL in his left knee, the run game will need to produce.

"I expect big things from all of (the running backs)," Carter said. "They've all set themselves a part. There's not a player that's recruited at any position in this school that's not supposed to be as good a player as there is in the country."

Even Rainey admits he wouldn't know who to give the ball to if he was a head coach.

"That's too much speed out there," he said. "I just juke and others just run people over."

After struggling in the spring and failing to meet high expectations, Moody has gotten a hold of the playbook and a spot in the rotation, too.

There's doubt about who will get the ball the most, but there's no doubt about who the leader of the backs is. Once again, Moore is it. Meyer gushed over Moore last year, and he's done the same this year.

Moody said it simply by saying Moore "brings it all to the table."

"The biggest thing is that he's not a selfish guy," Carter said of Moore. "We have a big brother program on the team and he's a big brother to Jeff Demps. He takes Jeff and teaches him things. Just a great person."

Rainey called Moore the "work horse" of the running backs. That work has certainly been noticed. While Moore isn't going to score the flashy touchdowns Rainey, Moody or Demps probably will, he'll be the one congratulating them and telling them what to do better when they come back to the sidelines.

Now if he can just learn to hold on to the ball better.

"It was kind of frustrating," Moore said of last season. "That'd be frustrating for anybody. It's a new year. I'm looking at trying to do good things for the team this year."

When asked about the running backs, Meyer becomes about as happy as he does about anything.

"Those are some home-run hitters," Meyer said.

But they're not just fast. At least according to the coaching staff, they have everything you look for in a running back.

"They have all the tools that are necessary," Carter said. "I've coached in the Big 10. I've coached in the SEC three different times. I've coached in the Big East and seen some really good players, coached some really good players. They're as good as all of them or better. And a bunch of those guys are in the NFL."

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