Malik Davis wasn’t supposed to be in this position.

The four-star true freshman back would have a role with Florida in 2017, but the starting job belonged to starter Jordan Scarlett. But with Scarlett suspended indefinitely, Davis has had to step up sooner than expected.

And you know what? He’s played great.

Davis rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries in Florida’s 38-24 win Saturday over Vanderbilt. It’s the third straight game Davis has rushed for at least 90 yards. The performance is also the reason Davis is the 247Sports True Freshman of the Week for Week 5.

Even with Scarlett out, Davis was only supposed to be a complimentary back. Sophomore Lamical Perine got starter's reps early in the year. But Jim McElwain needed a spark on offense, and Davis answered the call.

He averaged 23.5 yards per carry against Tennessee, which led to 21 touches the next week in a road win over Kentucky. Now, with Florida’s QB situation tenuous, Davis and Perine are the focal point of the Gators’ attack. Davis received one carry in a Week 1 loss to Michigan, a game in which the Gators mustered three offensive points. Since then, Florida is 3-0 and averaging 28 offensive points per contest. The ground game is something that the Gators have been able to count on, which is critical.

The 5-foot-11, 194-pound Davis has been a huge part of that.

A Tampa Bay native, 247Sports ranked Davis as the No. 261 overall player in the country.

He would find success eventually, but it wasn’t supposed to come this early. It’s a good thing for Florida it did.

Prior 247Sports True Freshman of the Week Winners:

Week 1: J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State

Week 2: Thomas Graham, Oregon

Week 3: CJ Henderson, Florida

Week 4: Jake Fromm, Georgia