Billy Napier: Florida RB Cam Carroll Out for Season With Knee Injury

Photo: Cam Carroll; Credit: Zach Goodall

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Confirming reports from Friday suggesting a significant injury to the player, Florida head coach Billy Napier revealed on Saturday that Gators running back Cam Carroll suffered a knee injury that will cause the sixth-year redshirt senior to miss the 2023 season.

"It just kind of hits you right in the gut," Napier said about Carroll's injury. "But Cam will respond. He will get the full support of our team and organization, and he will be back."

Carroll went down with the injury and was carted off the field during Florida's second and final fall scrimmage on Friday afternoon. He was quick to respond to the outpouring of support from Florida's fanbase and beyond that followed the news of his injury surfacing.

"God’s testimony is greater than any trial or tribulation," Carroll wrote via Twitter a few hours after suffering the injury. "I appreciate and have much love for gator nation!!! I will be back soon!!"

A native of Flowood, Miss and a product of Northwest Rankin High School, Carroll originally signed with Tulane in the recruiting class of 2018.

He spent five seasons with the Green Wave and occupied a significant rotational role between 2019-21, rushing 305 times for 1,621 yards and 19 touchdowns and catching 23 passes for 247 yards and five scores in that stretch. However, Carroll appeared in only one game in 2022 before suffering a season-ending leg injury.

Carroll entered the NCAA transfer portal following the campaign and announced his commitment to Florida on Jan. 23.

Upon joining the Gators, Carroll entered a talented running back room consisting of established contributors in junior Montrell Johnson Jr. and sophomore Trevor Etienne, and class of 2023 signee Treyaun Webb.

Understanding his veteran presence compared to the running backs around him, Carroll took on a teaching role in addition to battling for a spot in the position's rotation during his first offseason in Gainesville.

“I’ve played a lot of football and been around awhile. Sometimes I try to help [the younger running backs] understand and find their reads quicker, help them get out," Carroll told reporters on Aug. 13. "Helping them with techniques, different things of that matter. Just being able to help them with their game so we can all help each other.”

Johnson, Etienne, Webb and offseason junior college transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson make up Florida's scholarship running back depth without Carroll available to play.

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