GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- While the Gators continue to make progress on the offensive line this spring, coaches love what they're seeing out of the current group of running backs.

Sophomore Jordan Cronkrite has been very impressive and separated himself from the pack, with junior college back Mark Thompson having some major issues with fumbling and fellow sophomore Jordan Scarlett banged up for most of spring practice to date.

Running backs coach Tim Skipper raved about what he's seen out of Cronkrite so far this spring when he met with the media for the first time in months.

"Jordan is an athlete. He can do a lot of things," Skipper said. "You saw in the South Carolina game he went over the top and caught that deep ball. He gives us something out of the backfield that the other guys don’t. He can run good routes. He was a good receiver in high school and that type of stuff. He brings that element."

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Cronkrite isn't the only one who has flashed good hands out of the backfield, though. Despite his problems fumbling, Thompson has also been utilized as a pass-catcher this spring.

It's an aspect of his game head coach Jim McElwain loves.

"I was really happy and would be remiss to say that I thought we caught the ball really well in the scrimmage," McElwain said. "Even our running backs out of the backfield. I guess I knew this and didn’t really realize it but Mark Thompson started out as a wide receiver and outgrew the position. He’s got real natural hands and that was good to see."

While Thompson still has a ways to go to be fully ready to play, there's little doubt he's an intriguing option for the coaching staff.

A 6-foot-2, 242-pound back, Thompson has routinely run through tacklers this spring. Getting him to the point where he can do that every snap has been a focus for the staff.

"I think he’s transitioning," Skipper said. "It took him a while there. He went through a little bit of a lull a couple days, but now he’s picked up the speed, he’s enjoying himself and having a good time."'

With Cronkrite and Thompson both capable of being strong pass-catchers out of the backfield, there could be a new wrinkle for the Florida offense this fall.

All of the tailbacks are good in pass protection, and the Gators plan to disguise things at times, with the backs chipping and then slipping out late. The short passing game to the running backs could help pick up a lot of hidden yardage.

And it'll certainly make Florida harder to defend.

"I think our biggest strength is you’re not going to know where we’re at," Skipper said. "Meaning, we can line up in the backfield. We can be in empty. We can be in gun. We can be in pistol. We can be under center. We can get out of the backfield on routes. We can do a lot of things. We have a lot of talent, and I think we’re going to give some defenses fits."

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