UF coach Billy Napier’s Gators fly under radar at SEC Media Days
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Following a turbulent flight in volatile weather above Music City, Florida coach Billy Napier was running a bit behind schedule at SEC Media Days.
Few even noticed he and the Gators had arrived.
Even a big-name program with a ubiquitous brand is sure to slip in under the radar after consecutive losing seasons, including a 6-7 finish during Napier’s 2022 debut.
“It’s expected,” ESPN’s Paul Finebaum told the Orlando Sentinel. “You don’t have a season like that and expect to be the talk about Media Days. Urban Meyer is not flying in here, or Steve Spurrier.
“You have Billy Napier, who is has yet to prove anything at Florida.”
The Gators lack star power and a signature SEC win since 2020. Their head coach has one year of experience at the Power 5 level.
When the league announces the media’s predicted order of finish and All-SEC teams on Friday, UF will be an East Division afterthought and hard-pressed to place anyone on the first or second teams.
Yet Napier and his players are not discouraged by a dearth of Media Days buzz or plenty of dire predictions about the upcoming season. Athlon Sports annual college football issue, a staple since 1967, forecasts Florida to go 5-7 and miss a bowl game.
“We’re not going to let outside opinion or a created narrative define a reality for this 2023 team,” Napier said. “Our players are going to decide that. Under the radar, sure — if that’s what you want to call it.
“We’ll start playing the games here pretty soon.”
The Gators generated offseason momentum on the recruiting trail and addressed several key needs in the transfer portal. The efforts furthered Napier’s reputation as a talent evaluator and program builder.
“Whatever happens this year, Billy Napier is building this program to be really dangerous,” SEC Network analyst Jordan Rodgers told the Sentinel. “He’s definitely changed the culture there. His recruiting’s phenomenal.”
Yet Florida’s lackluster showing in the spring game — a 10-7 slough — raised questions about Napier’s offensive approach and the ability of Wisconsin transfer quarterback Graham Mertz to replace Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Napier’s decision to handle play-calling duties while rebuilding the Gators is the epitome multi-tasking and increasingly rare in today’s game.
UF quarterback Graham Mertz warms up prior to a scrimmage March 28, 2023 in The Swamp. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Jimbo Fisher recently hired Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M while Eliah Drinkwitz relinquished play-calling duties at Missouri. Offensive whizzes Lane Kiffin, Hugh Freeze and Josh Heupel each has an OC on staff, too.
But Napier’s second Louisiana team also improved its scoring average by 6 points, to 37.7, and finished 2019 seventh nationally in plays 10 yards or longer.
“It’s a relevant question,” Napier said. “But I feel confident in our process. We’ve done it before and I do think some of the growing pains come with Year 1.
“I’m very hopeful we’ll continue to improve.”
Much will hinge on Mertz, who was highly inconsistent during three seasons as a starter at Wisconsin. He left with a 19-12 record and 38 touchdowns passes against 26 interceptions.
Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall responds to questions during SEC Media Days July 19, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Top receiver Ricky Pearsall, one of three UF players at SEC Media Days, sees better days ahead for his new QB.
“One thing that immediately stood out to me is how smart he is, his IQ on the field,” Pearsall said. “As soon as I met him, we started talking about different coverages, different routes during different coverages. That stood out to me.”
Questions and serious doubts are sure to abound after a six-win season ending in a 27-point loss — a 30-3 flop against Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Veteran center Kingsley Eguakun said it’s white noise to him and his teammates less than two weeks before the July 31 start of preseason camp.
“I can understand where it’s coming from, but every year’s a new year, every team’s a new team,” he said. “Genuinely, who thought Tulane was going to be in a New Year’s Six bowl? I definitely did not, and then you saw what they did.
“You never know.”
Florida center Kingsley Eguakun said every season is a new start as the Gators push to improve on consecutive 6-7 finishes. Eguakun spoke July 19, 2023 during SEC Media Days in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Finebaum, a longtime SEC observer who spent much of his media career in Birmingham, said the Gators are certain to have their chances to flip the script.
An Aug. 31 trip to Utah and a Sept. 23 visit from Tennessee are two early chances on a schedule among the nation’s toughest.
“What Billy Napier has to do this year is to win a game that he has not won yet,” Finebaum said. “He has to show the fans he is everything Scott Stricklin says he was on the day he was introduced. Other than that nothing matters.
“He’s got to change the direction and move the needle.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
