UF’s Billy Napier taps Central Florida talent base as Gators rebuild
The Florida Gators’ youth movement includes a healthy dose of Orlando first-year talent poised to contribute in Year 2 of Billy Napier’s rebuild.
Safety Jordan Castell, cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson and receiver Aidan Mizell each had his moments during a rare open practice Saturday in the Swamp — an offering for fans Napier aims to turn into an annual tradition. The trio, along with edge rusher Kamran James, were area high school stars who remained nearby despite interest from majors programs coast to coast.
Napier plans to stick close to home himself. His roster-building blueprint includes a laser-focus on Central Florida.
“There’s a ton of really good football players that can get in the car and drive here,” he said Monday. “It’s not just Orlando; it’s all parts of the state. The player production is second to none. Orlando’s been good to the Gators.
“History would say when the Gators have had good teams, regionally they’ve done a really good job in recruiting.”
The Gators’ 2023 incoming class features 14 of 22 from the Sunshine State. According to 247Sports, six of the seven highest-ranked freshmen are Floridians, including three from Orlando.
The area has produced some notable Gators in recent years, including quarterback Jeff Driskel of Oviedo, Apopka lineman Martez Ivey and punters Johnny Townsend and Tommy Townsend of Orlando Boone. But the game’s mega-stars from the area did not head to Gainesville, including Apopka’s Warren Sapp, who starred at Miami before an NFL Hall of Fame career, and Olympia’s Chris Johnson, who attended East Carolina before starring for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.
Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall of Winter Park went to UCF; and Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl-winning guard Nate Newton attended Orlando Jones in the 1980s and then Florida A&M.
The Gators’ current first-year quartet from Orlando has star potential.
Jackson, a former Kissimmee Osceola standout, is the top-rated player in the class at No. 49 while Olympia’s James (No. 83) is third among Gators. Mizell (No. 204) shined at Boone in 2021 and was poised to be a top-50 recruit before a leg injury in the 2022 season opener. Castell was an Under Armour All-American.
Napier hopes his staff’s efforts strengthens the pipeline into the area.
“The more exposures we have with players, the better relationships we can build, the more evaluation opportunities we have,” he said.
QB decision coming
Napier said last month ideally he’d like to name a starting quarterback after the Gators’ first scrimmage, which is scheduled for Thursday.
Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz appears to be the decided front-runner. But Napier wants to let the process play out among Mertz, redshirt sophomore Jack Miller III and redshirt freshman Max Brown.
“We’ve got three practices here,” Napier said. “That’ll have a lot to do with it. But we’ve seen the body of work and it’s all going to matter. We’re right in the middle of that process. We do have competition.
“We’re looking forward to watching those guys for the next couple days.”
LB James out another week
Sophomore linebacker Shemar James is on the mend from a left knee injury sustained Aug. 2. He should be available in seven to 10 days, Napier said.
The Gators want James to be no worse for the wear during the Aug. 31 opener at Utah. He wore a protective brace while attending Saturday’s scrimmage,
“We’ll probably err on the conservative side,” Napier said. “But he’s already made significant progress.”
The 6-foot-1, 230-pound James is expected to anchor the middle of the defense after recording 47 stops, most among returners.
Meanwhile, cornerback Devin Moore is in “return-to-play-protocol” with a upper-body injury, Napier said. The language is typically associated with a concussion.
Expected to push for a starting job, Moore missed practice Saturday and Sunday.
A 6-foot-2¾, 195-pound sophomore from Naples, Moore was in line for a starting role when he injured his shoulder Oct. 8 against Missouri, requiring Nov. 2 surgery. On Saturday redshirt junior Jalen Kimber, a Georgia transfer in January 2022, lined up opposite two-year starter Jason Marshall Jr. during the first 11-on-11 drills.
“He’ll be back and ready to go soon,” Napier said of Moore.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
