Will a real tailback please stand up!

For some time now, the Florida Gators have had one of the better offenses in the nation. Steve Spurrier was an offensive guru that revolutionized the way college football is played. Even during the dark ages under Ron Zook, the Gators still sported a rather potent offense. Now, under the direction of Urban Meyer, Florida is once again at the top of college football offenses.

Despite the offensive brilliance in Gainesville, there has always been a question mark at the running back position. With the notable exceptions of Fred Taylor and Earnest Graham, the Gators have not had a consistent ground game. There was the one year of serviceable Robert Gillespie, as well as the one year of Ciatrick Fason (who had potential to be the greatest of Florida's backs.) But a list that includes Ran Carthon, Elijah Williams, Deshawn Wynn, Terry Jackson and Kestahn Moore as starters, there is plenty of room for improvement.

This year the Gators have 5 potential starters at tailback after Spring. While this could be seen as a good thing, it's kind of disturbing that not one of these five players have clearly risen above the rest.

I'm going to break down the five in the order I believe they should play on the depth chart.







1.The Speedster.- Chris Rainey needs to be starting for UF this fall. The best place for him to start will be tailback. If you watched any of UF's Spring game then you know how special this guy can be. The move he put on Ahmad Black to stroll into the end-zone was unbelievable. Chris Rainey and Percy Harvin as the two options with Tebow would vault UF to the top running offense in the history of college football.










2. The New Star.- You would not believe how excited I was to learn that Emmanuel Moody had decided to transfer from USC to Florida. Conversely, I was just as disappointed to learn that Moody was struggling with UF's offense even after a year to sit and learn under it. Moody did flash some signs of life at the Spring game. Despite his fumble in the end zone, Moody was the most pleasant surprise of the afternoon. To watch his speed and elusiveness to get out of the backfield and then his power to run over tacklers in the open field mad me as giddy as a school girl.












3.The Embattled One.- I always thought Mon Williams would eventually become a starter and a star for the Gators. Unfortunately injuries have slowed him down. Williams would have been a perfect lightning to Deshawn Wynn or Kestahn Moore's thunder. Now that he's fully healthy he has a speedier Chris Rainey and a back with almost an identical but better running style in Emmanuel Moody. Although he won't start, Williams should see plenty more playing time this Fall.






4. The Incumbent.- No Gator player has ever frustrated me as much as Kestahn Moore. This include Kyle Jackson because I knew he was garbage so there was nothing to be frustrated about. Moore, however shows signs of a good running back at times, only to follow it with moments of utter horribleness. Moore's game against LSU last season may have been the worst game I've ever seen a Gator tailback play. Although Moore is serviceable, the Gators need to find another answer.







5. The Specialist.- Brandon James might just have more talent as a pure runner than anyone else on the team. The diminutive back provided spells last season for Moore and outperformed the starter. However, I think the Gators need to keep James as a return specialist and only use him in the offense for special situations. Perhaps Urban can develop a package with James as the premiere back and utilize his open field skills on set screens.