Over the next week, GatorBait.net will break down some of the most anticipated position battles heading into fall camp. Today we continue with a look at the backup running back.

Position Battle: Backup Running Back

The Contestants:

Adam Lane, RSO

Jordan Scarlett, FR

Jordan Cronkrite, FR

Mark Herndon, SR

Overview: Lane is the presumed leader for this job heading into fall camp, but there will be immediate competition from Scarlett. Cronkrite and Herndon are viewed as a bit longer shots for the backup gig, so focus on what happens with Lane and Scarlett in fall camp.

Adam Lane: Though he had a fantastic performance in the Birmingham Bowl and really showed excellent ability to run through contact late in the 2014 season, Lane has had a hard time getting out of the doghouse since new coach Jim McElwain arrived. McElwain wasn't happy he missed some spring practices, and then Lane was in the news for the wrong reasons for a relatively minor offense in the offseason. Lane unquestionably has the talent to be the No. 2 guy, but he has to get right mentally if he hopes to earn the job.

Jordan Scarlett: Scarlett offers the best pure upside at the running back position going forward. He has the size to be an every-down back, yet he's probably the only one with elite breakaway speed in the group. He still needs to work on running with a little more power, but once he does, he figures to make a big contribution.

Jordan Cronkrite: Another back with good size, Cronkrite doesn't quite have the burst Scarlett does. While he could be used in a number of positions, Cronkrite figures to be fighting to avoid a redshirt in fall camp. His speed and explosiveness doesn't really jump out on film, so it'll be interesting to see how he looks going against college athletes.

Mark Herndon: Herndon is a sneaky good player with high football IQ and good athleticism, despite being relatively small. If he weren't coming off a torn ACL, he'd be a real darkhorse pick to get major carries in 2015. As it is, until we've seen him back on the field, it's tough to imagine him winning the backup job.

*** Our Projection: Lane may hold onto the job in fall camp, but we're willing to bet once Scarlett gets his shot, he'll move past Lane and start getting major carries. It wouldn't surprise to see Scarlett's production -- or at least touches -- come close to matching Kelvin Taylor's in 2015.

As far as what happens behind him, Lane will get some carries and Herndon will likely at least get some brief mop-up duty. If McElwain really wants to turn over the roster as quickly as possible, there's also a decent chance Cronkrite sees the field in some capacity in 2015.

*** Projected Post-Camp Running Back Depth Chart

Kelvin Taylor

Jordan Scarlett

Adam Lane

Jordan Cronkrite

Mark Herndon

Previously in the Series

Backup Tight End

Second Starting Cornerback

Starting Z Receiver

Starting Nickelback

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