Florida football will sink or swim with Billy Napier’s new Gators
GAINESVILLE — Though Billy Napier hasn’t had enough time yet to flip the Florida Gators’ roster fully, the overhaul has been massive. That was evident by the way Napier talked about his team Monday and will be obvious when the Gators open the season Aug. 31 at Utah.
“We’re living in the era of college football where a rookie’s got to play, a free agent’s got to play, whether it’s portal or a high school player,” Napier said. “You’ve got to coach your systems in a way where a first-year player can contribute and make a major difference in your team.”
He’s counting on it. Napier has been pleased with the development of a downfield passing game that didn’t click enough during his first season. That phase will be led by a new starting quarterback (likely Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz) and freshmen receivers Aidan Mizell, Andy Jean and Gaither High alumnus Eugene Wilson.
He believes the defensive line is taller and longer with “more capable players.” That’s largely due to additions like Louisville transfer Caleb Banks, Memphis transfer Cam Jackson and four-star freshman Will Norman, plus the growth of sophomore Chris McClellan — all players Napier brought in.
As Napier ticked through the linebackers with more opportunities as Shemar James recovers from a lower-body injury, he mentioned freshman Jaden Robinson, and transfers Deuce Spurlock (Michigan), Mannie Nunnery (Houston) and Teradja Mitchell (Ohio State).
“This time last year,” Napier said, “they were somewhere else.”
And now they’re here.
Look across the roster, and most of the key incumbents are Napier guys, too. The running back duo of Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson? Etienne was a blue-chip signee in Napier’s first class, and Johnson followed Napier as a transfer from Louisiana. Napier landed top receiver Ricky Pearsall from Arizona State via the portal. The secondary is loaded with talented underclassmen Napier’s staff evaluated and recruited.
“We’re going to be dependent on young players this year,” Napier said, “but I think we got good ones.”
That comment was about the defensive line, but it applies to the rest of the depth chart. Napier’s second season will hinge on the inexperienced group of players he brought in — for better or worse.
We should judge the results accordingly. Expect mistakes as the Gators adjust to the speed of the game and a schedule that includes five teams ranked in the top 14 of the preseason coaches’ poll released Monday (No. 1 Georgia, No. 5 LSU, No. 8 Florida State, No. 10 Tennessee and No. 14 Utah). Don’t be surprised if an old coaching adage — the best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores — applies at times.
But if nothing else, we can also use this season as a gauge for the future. Will we see any evidence that the three freshman receivers Napier evaluated and landed are as dynamic as he suggests? Can Florida’s staff turn offensive lineman Damieon George into a capable SEC starter after he spent most of his three seasons at Alabama as a backup? How well can the Gators develop the second-year pieces from the top-20 class Napier signed in his first few months on the job? Has Napier built enough defensive line depth to keep his big bodies from getting gassed and gashed late in games?
Those are some of the questions to keep in mind beyond the scoreboard and standings in Napier’s second season as his team prepares to sink or swim with his newcomers. Even if Florida sinks this season, what signs (if any) will we see that his additions will help the Gators swim next year and beyond?
Audible
“I think the talent level is the same. We have a lot of great players here.” — George on how Florida’s roster compares to what he saw firsthand during his time at Alabama
• • •
Sign up for the Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.
Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on Twitter and Facebook.
