“They’ve become selfless competitors” – Captain Shreve running backs bring strong brotherhood to Gators

SHREVEPORT, LA (KTAL/KMSS) — Over the first few weeks of the 2025 season, Captain Shreve’s running back duo have embraced a tough mentality. That mindset has developed a strong chemistry between the two tailbacks and it has shown on and off the field.

“It’s just a wonderful experience to have two backs with such a great skill set,” senior running back Jamarcea Plater said.

“It’s really like a competition. Who’s gonna go out there and get more yards? Who’s gonna go out there and you know, score more touchdowns?,” junior running back Gabe Lockett said.

Jamarcea Plater and Gabe Lockett have been a special force for the Gators, as both backs have played a significant role in the team’s success.

“They’ve become selfless competitors and that’s kind of a hard thing to do at times for a lot of people, but you know, they want to be better than the guy next to them while having the guy next to them have success, and that’s a beautiful thing. That’s where you get that great partnership and that great teammate,” head coach Jeremy Wilburn said.

That partnership begins with great leadership.

“He looks up to me a lot. I always lead him in the right direction. I always try to give him a few tips that I use throughout my junior and senior year. Basically, steps that will help him be as good as me or even better than me,” Plater said.

“I like watching him and the way he runs and I like watching the way he pass blocks. I try to learn from that, cause you know, with his knowledge in the position that he’s in right now, going to college, I know, I can learn from him before he leaves, you know, learn a better stance or a better way to read something,” Lockett said.

This relationship makes it easier on Friday nights.

“Very special times when you’re a coach, where you have two guys you trust so much that they kind of handle their own subs, and very rarely is that at running back, and for us right now, that’s the case,” Wilburn said. “We’re very fortunate right now to have both of them and they’re both wise and selfless and they want to be great and they want all the stats, I promise you, but it’s a selfless approach to it and that’s what you got to have.”

That brotherhood extends off the field.

“We’ve grown close to each other, you know, we’ve joked a lot and talked about each other a lot,” Lockett said.

“They all give Gabe a hard time and give Plater a hard time. Plater will dish it out and Gabe would give it back now, and about a year ago, it really wasn’t like that. Plater would dish it out and Gabe was kind of the young pup in the room and he would just kind of take it and, you know, kind of meander off,” Wilburn said jokingly. “Now, if Plater pops off to him, Gabe will turn back and look at him and give it back to him. So it’s kind of more brother to brother now than it was.”

Both running backs look to finish the season strong. Their next matchup is on Friday, October 10 against Evangel.

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