Dameon Pierce returns for senior year to lead Florida’s running back group

Pierce returns to Gainesville for his final season looking to lead a running back group that has been a bit of an afterthought.

Name: Dameon Pierce

Number: 27

Position: Running Back

Class: Junior

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 215 pounds

Hometown: Bainbridge, Ga.

High School: Bainbridge

Twitter: @IRep229

2020 statistics:

ATT YDS AVG TD LNG REC YDS AVG TD LNG FUM LST
106 503 4.7 4 38 17 156 9.2 1 35 0 0

Overview:

One of Florida’s most reliable running backs throughout his collegiate career, Pierce joined the Gators as a four-star recruit from Georgia in the 2018 recruiting class. He saw action right away as a true freshman, playing in all 13 games as a backup running back and special teams player. He finished with 69 carries for 424 yards and two touchdowns (in addition to a touchdown through the air).

As a sophomore in 2019, he was Florida’s No. 2 back behind senior Lamical Perine, but he saw his production dip a bit as he appeared in 12 games. He only had 54 carries on the season for 305 yards and a touchdown as UF’s entire run game struggled that season.

Entering his junior year in 2020, Pierce figured in as the Gators’ top back. He started 10 of Florida’s 12 games and appeared in all of them. The run game was a bit of an afterthought as quarterback Kyle Trask led a record-breaking passing offense, but Pierce finished as the leader among Gators backs with 503 yards and four touchdowns (plus another receiving touchdown).

Pierce elected to return to Florida for his senior season, and with Emory Jones taking over as starter, the run game will likely be a much bigger factor this season. And if the rushing attack takes a step forward, Pierce will be the biggest beneficiary in a talented backfield that has underproduced recently.

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