The 2026 college football season is fast approaching, and the Florida Gators have a challenging schedule ahead of them. Among the top five running backs they will face, three stand out as particularly formidable opponents. These players, Nate Frazier of Georgia, Hollywood Smothers of Texas, and Raleek Brown of Texas, present a unique set of challenges for the Gators' defense. Each brings a distinct style of play and a unique set of skills that will test the Gators' ability to stop the run and protect the quarterback.
Nate Frazier, a junior at Georgia, is a steady and efficient rusher who consistently churns out yards when needed. While not a consistent breakaway threat, he has the ability to force missed tackles and average 3.4 yards after contact per rush. Frazier's presence in the backfield will surely be felt by opposing defenses, even if his stat lines may not be gaudy. He will split time with Chauncey Bowens and Dante Dowdell, and quarterback Gunner Stockton is also a key member of the Bulldogs' rushing attack.
Hollywood Smothers, a redshirt junior at Texas, is a dynamic playmaker who broke through on the ground in 2025 with 49 forced missed tackles, 24 rushes of 10-plus yards, and 14 rushes of 15-plus yards. He also demonstrated his ability as a pass-catcher, hauling in all but three of his 40 targets without a drop. Smothers' breakaway rate of 52.3 percent is among the best in the country, and he has made significant strides as a pass protector year-over-year.
Raleek Brown, a redshirt senior at Texas, is another transfer running back who is coming off a fully healthy 2025 season. He rushed for over 1,100 yards while averaging over six yards per tote, forcing 55 missed tackles, and generating 31 runs of 10-plus yards. Brown has also been a significant figure in the passing game, catching 49-of-64 targets and hauling in five receiving touchdowns in 2025. His dynamic playmaking ability and ability to take over games on the ground make him a formidable opponent for the Gators.
These three running backs present a unique set of challenges for the Florida Gators' defense. Their ability to run, catch, and protect the quarterback will test the Gators' ability to stop the run and protect the quarterback. The Gators will need to be prepared for a variety of plays and schemes to counter these dynamic playmakers and emerge victorious in the 2026 season.
