Where the Gators stand: Running Back

This week, I'll be hitting each spot on the Gators depth chart with a position-by-position analysis on where Florida currently stands in regards to the Class of 2011, and what needs still have to be met across the board. This is the second part of this series, as after previewing the quarterbacks we will now turn our attention to the running backs...

Current Florida Depth Chart:
2 - Jeff Demps (5-8, 190, Jr.)
21 - Emmanuel Moody (5-11, 215, R-Sr.)
23 - Mike Gillislee (5-11, 198, So.)
33 - Mack Brown (5-11, 200, Fr.)

Top of the board:
James Wilder (6-2, 220, Tampa, Fla./Plant)
Mike Bellamy (5-10, 180, Punta Gorda, Fla./Charlotte) - Committed to CLEMSON
Mike Blakely (5-9, 195, Bradenton, Fla./Manatee)
Savon Huggins (5-11, 190, Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter's Prep)
Isaiah Crowell (5-11, 210, Columbus, Ga./Carver)

Others to watch:
Javorius "Buck" Allen (6-1, 210, Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln)
Andrew Buie (5-9, 180, Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian)
Marlin Lane (6-0, 205, Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland) - Committed to CLEMSON
Tre Mason (5-9, 185, Lake Worth, Fla./Park Vista)

Analysis: The general feeling is that the Gators would like to take two running backs this year, and nothing about Florida's current approach to the Class of 2011 seems to indicate otherwise.

Right now, the preferred route for Florida to go would be to land James Wilder in the near future, and possibly pair him with Mike Bellamy (currently committed to Clemson, but all indications I have are that his recruitment is not over) or Mike Blakely closer to National Signing Day to give the Gators a true "Thunder and Lightning" combination.

With considerable talk that Wilder now might be leaning to Florida State following a weekend visit to Tallahassee, his impending decision becomes that much more intriguing. If Wilder were to choose Florida State (or Georgia, for that matter) in the upcoming weeks, the Gators would likely start pushing for Blakely to join this class instead. Either way, the Gators would make off with a pretty good running back if one of those two scenarios were to occur.

Personally, I've always felt that while Wilder is a good high school running back, his best spot on the college level will likely be somwhere on the defensive side of the ball, likely as a pass-rushing specialist at linebacker. Blakely is more of a true workhorse running back who can get the tough yards up the middle, but can also get outside the tackles and break loose for a big play as well. His ability as a receiver coming out of the backfield makes him even more dangerous as a truly versatile skill position player.

The real wild-card in all of this is Bellamy, who could team with either Wilder or Blakely to give Florida quite the running back combo for the Class of 2011. Although Bellamy is saying all the right things to the media in regards to his commitment to Clemson, behind the scenes, I hear he is still open to the possibility to playing elsewhere (including Gainesville). Do not be surprised at all if he were to drop the Tigers somewhere down the home stretch towards February.

If the Gators can not land Bellamy, Jacksonville product Andrew Buie could prove to be a worthy replacement. Like Bellamy, Buie adds a dynamic element to the back field, and would give Urban Meyer yet another home-run threat to get out on the perimeter and make big plays.

Other possibilities if Wilder end up somewhere other than Florida include Savon Huggins, who has previously listed Florida among his top group of schools. I would also not be surprised to see Florida make another push for Isaiah Crowell if Wilder ends up elsewhere (especially if he were to pick Georgia), although he currently claims a top two of 'Bama and UGA at the present time.

Javorius "Buck" Allen is also a possibility as well. Despite missing almost all of his junior season with a leg injury, I've long felt he is a very talented big back, and perhaps a bit overlooked in the state of Florida right now. Clemson commitment Marlin Lane could also re-emerge on the board, although he seems strong in his pledge to the Tigers at this point. Jameel Poteat seems to be fading as an option at this point, as he has not visited Gainesville.

One other prospect I have a lot of respect for is Tre Mason, Palm Beach County's leading rusher during the regular season a year ago. Currently Florida has not made much of a push for the talented back, but he is a name to keep an eye on down the stretch. He visited Florida in the spring and by all accounts enjoyed his stay in Gainesville.

But in the end, I think the position really comes down to two names -- James Wilder and Mike Blakely. The decision of Wilder, which should come in a couple of weeks will strongly dictate the direction Florida goes in from there. If Wilder picks Florida, the Gators will look for an "all-purpose" back (likely Bellamy or Buie) to compliment his between-the-tackles ability. If Wilder selects Florida State or Georgia, the Gators will put the full-court press on Blakely, and likely grab him early in the Fall. At that point, they would simply look for the best possible player (maybe a bigger back to get the tough yards in the middle, but again, Florida could go with more of a speedster/scat back too) to compliment Blakely and reload once again in the backfield heading into the 2011 season.