Florida Gators Football: 5 Reasons Why Chris Rainey Will Have a Breakout Season

Despite all of the distractions and disappointments that Florida Gator running back Chris Rainey has dealt with during his time at Florida, the remaining "Gator Naught" is primed for a breakout season in 2011.

Rainey still remains one of the fastest players in the nation, let alone the SEC, and he certainly has a lot left to prove to his teammates and fans.

Rainey possesses some of the biggest playmaking ability on the team and will be featured throughout many of the games as a senior.

A lot of eyes will be on John Brantley this season, but here are five reasons why Chris Rainey will have a breakout season and will be a player to watch on the Gators offense in 2011.

1. Last Year to Prove Himself

This upcoming season will be Chris Rainey's final season as a Gator. And often times, the idea that a player has only one year left can fuel that player's passion throughout the season.

Rainey came into Gainesville with high expectations from himself and the fans. And while he has occasionally showed off his great speed and juking ability, he has yet to consistently put up solid numbers.

But 2011 means a lot more to Rainey, and if he expects to play on Sundays at all, he is going to have to step it up on Saturdays.

Being a senior also gives Rainey the responsibility of leading by example for the rest of his teammates. His play and determination on the field could dictate how other players, especially freshmen and sophomores, play as well.

With only one final chance to establish his career as a Gator, expect Rainey to give it everything he has in 2011.

2. Chris Rainey Had a Strong Spring

Throughout the offseason, perhaps no player has been praised more for his spring play than Chris Rainey.

According to head coach Will Muschamp, Rainey was one of the players that has stuck out the most to him during the offseason. 

While he put up a modest 36 total yards in the spring game, Muschamp believed that Rainey was separating himself from all the other running backs.

And with Jeff Demps missing a lot of the offseason due to his track & field commitments, Rainey's good impression on the new coaching staff could earn him the majority of the carries this season.

In a media session over the spring, Muschamp seemed very excited about Chris Rainey's potential in 2011. 

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He's a guy that makes an awful lot of plays. And getting the ball deeper to him in the backfield helps him. He's got great vision and cutback ability and bounce ability, you've got to be really gap sound on him in the run game.

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Let's hope Rainey can continue this momentum into the regular season.

3. It's a New Beginning

With the hiring of Will Muschamp, perhaps the biggest impact on the team was a fresh start. 

A brand new coaching staff and a brand new mindset allow players to start over. It's first impressions all over again for everybody, and Chris Rainey might be the player who needs it the most.

In the last year of the Urban Meyer regime, Rainey went through a tumultuous season as he was arrested for felony charges of stalking and had to miss practically the whole first half of the regular season.

This event erupted a nationwide stream of criticism over Meyer's handling of the situation and criticism over the fact that Rainey was even a part of the team after the incident.

But now with Muschamp and a brand new coaching staff, Rainey has the gracious opportunity of a fresh start. He has a brand new opportunity to show the coaches what he can do and reestablish himself as the team's biggest offensive playmaker.

Many times in football, we have seen troubled players rejuvenate their careers with a fresh start. And as I mentioned before, Rainey's strong offseason continues that trend.

4. Special Teams Ability

As the college football season nears, head coach Will Muschamp has begun finalizing the team's depth chart.

In terms of special teams, Chris Rainey will get a chance to prove himself, too. Muschamp has made it known that Rainey will most likely be the primary punt returner for the Florida Gators in 2011.

This will be a great way for Rainey to show off his elusiveness and speed. In high school, Rainey made a living off of special teams in both kick and punt returns—taking numerous returns back for touchdowns.

While the competition is certainly greater in the SEC, Rainey can still bring that big play ability to the return game once again for the Gators.

The Gators have been searching for a legitimate return threat ever since Brandon James left. And with Janoris Jenkins being dismissed from the team, Rainey will finally get his chance to prove himself on special teams.

Rainey also has the ability to score on punt returns, which could add another dimension to this Gators team. Rainey can potentially establish himself in multiple areas of the football field and as one of the conference's biggest playmakers in 2011.

5. Chris Rainey Switched His Jersey to No. 1

Yes, I know this slide title sounds trivial, but if past history has told Florida Gator fans anything, the person wearing the No. 1 jersey has a standout year.

Now, obviously, the number in itself doesn't have any effect on the player's game, but No.1 for the Gators symbolizes a lot more than just a number.

It symbolizes leadership, impact and high expectations.

In the past five seasons, the player wearing the No. 1 jersey (Reggie Nelson, Percy Harvin and Janoris Jenkins) has exemplified all of those characteristics. 

And with Rainey switching to No. 1, he has large shoes to fill. But it certainly shows what the coaching staff thinks of Rainey, letting him represent a number that means so much to the team and Gators fans.

Rainey will still have to put the work in and stay out of trouble—he will have to lead by example. But clearly, the coaching staff has been impressed with Rainey so far.

And when the Gators take the field against FAU on September 3, you can bet that you will see No. 1 making plays all over the field.