Florida coach Billy Napier: Jalen Kitna arrest 'sad, tragic event' for all involved
Florida football coach Billy Napier said he had no knowledge of the investigation into backup quarterback Jalen Kitna until the morning of his arrest and called it a "sad, tragic event" for all involved.
Kitna, 19, was kicked off the team last Friday after being arrested on five felony counts of possession and distribution of child pornography.
"It’s a sad, tragic event for all the people involved here," Napier said. "I think really trying to help all the people involved. Obviously Jalen is going to have to move forward. But it’s a challenge, and it’s one that I appreciate our leadership.
"Certainly, we’ve done everything we can do to help our players and staff. But as you said here, there’s some things that come with that. We’re turning the page and moving forward.”
More: Florida Gators dismiss quarterback Jalen Kitna as more details emerge in child porn case
Florida QB Jack Miller set to make first start
Florida is moving forward without Kitna and starting quarterback Anthony Richardson, who declared for the NFL draft on Monday. That leaves Jack Miller, a transfer from Ohio State, to make his first career start at quarterback when the Gators face Oregon State at the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 17 (2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Behind Miller will be walk-on sophomore quarterback Kyle Engel and true freshman quarterback Max Brown.
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Miller missed the first half of the season with a broken thumb and was moved down from second to third on the depth chart when he returned in late October.
"He has been participating in practice for a number of weeks," Napier said. "He’s perfectly healthy. You’ve got to remember, Jack joined us back in the springtime, right? So, he went through spring practice and summer and the majority of training camp as the No. 2. And he was the No. 2 for a little bit early in the year."
Napier said Miller has been traveling with the Gators and taking part in film sessions.
"Obviously the volume of work will be a little bit different for him," Napier said. "That’ll be the biggest challenge."
QB Anthony Richardson's decision
Napier said he understood quarterback Richardson's decision to declare for the NFL draft. Richardson won't play in the bowl game.
"Anthony sees an opportunity," Napier said. "He's going to work extremely hard to solidify his position in the draft and, you know, [he] did a lot for the Gators, man. You know, and certainly proud of him as a person and the way he went about his business and represented this place."
Richardson had some growing pains early in the season but started all 12 games for the Gators and improved as the season progressed, finishing the year with 2,549 yards passing, 17 TDs and nine interceptions along with 654 yards rushing and nine rushing TDs.
"Made a ton of progress," Napier said. "You know, just, most importantly I think as a person, comfort with the role, you know, the leadership aspect. And certainly, I thought [he] made a lot of progress when it comes to football intelligence and defensive structure, protections."
This article originally appeared on Gator Sports: Florida football coach Billy Napier comments on Jalen Kitna arrest
