Jabbar Juluke Discusses Gators Running Backs

Gators running backs coach Jabbar Juluke spoke after Spring practice Thursday on the current backfield heading into the new season.

With the departure of Nay’Quan Wright and Lorenzo Lingard, Juluke spoke on how he feels about the returning and new running backs.

The duo of Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne head into next season after combining for 1,560 rushing yards and 16 rushing scores for Florida. Both backs were two key players in the team’s offensive success.

The Gators finished in the Top 3 in the SEC in rushing offense, last season. Florida’s running attack lead the conference in rushing yards per attempt.

Carroll Joins the Backfield

Cam Carroll transferred from Tulane University to UF this spring semester. Even though Johnson and Etienne return, Juluke spoke on what he expects out of Carroll and why he chose to transfer.

While Carroll only played one game in 2022 for Tulane, he played in all 12 games in back-to-back seasons in 2020 and 2021 and finished second on the team in total rushing yards with 516. Juluke said Carroll is very athletic and can move very well, but he’s currently learning the system. Juluke says that once Carroll understands the true terminologies of the system, he’ll be able to help the team. 

Juluke Hopes for Leadership Improvement

For Johnson and Ettienne, despite the phenomenal season they both individually and collectively had, Juluke hopes they’ll improve on leadership.

Johnson had 841 yards and 10 touchdowns last season with one receiving touchdown. Ettienne had 719 yards and six touchdowns on the ground and was named Freshman All-SEC, last season. Juluke hopes to improve on the receiving game from the running backs as well, having several options in the backfield of catching the football, including the newly added Caroll.