Billy Napier reveals which Gators will see more snaps on defense

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Following the win at Mississippi State, Florida Gators coach Billy Napier said the team needed to “take a good look in the mirror” during the bye week.

The self-scout, he said, could reveal — or in some cases, confirm — that shakeups to the starting lineup and position rotations might be required to make improvement.

“Maybe we need to adjust who plays and who doesn’t play,” Napier said in Starkville.

During his first news conference Monday since that postgame presser, Napier was asked about those potential personnel changes and if any players earned more snaps.

One defender immediately came to mind.

“I think a guy that I thought has been very productive, Jack Pyburn has had a lot of production. I think he played in that (MSU) game well,” Napier said. “He would be a guy that would be at the top of the list, in my opinion.”

Napier also praised Pyburn postgame in Starkville, crediting for making two of the stops during Florida’s goal-line stand. He finishes with a career-high six tackles and a TFL.

Other Florida Gators primed to play more

During the bye week, Gators Online detailed three defensive players that we think need to see the field more moving forward. One of them was sophomore linebacker Jaden Robinson, who currently leads the defense with a PFF tackling grade of 86.2.

Robinson is among three underclassmen at LB, and Napier said Monday that the young players at the position — presumably him and true freshmen Aaron Chiles and Myles Graham — could see increased playing time due to their recent development.

“I think some of the young backers are good players,” Napier said. “They continue to get a little bit better. We saw those guys take a step in the right direction last week.”

Last but certainly not least, Napier revealed Monday that there could be some personnel changes to generate a better push rush. The Gators currently rank in the bottom half of the SEC — and the country — with 8.0 sacks.

“We have to generate some form of a pass rush. We have to find a way to affect the quarterback, and I think that’s an area where we are evaluating all the personnel that we’re trying to use, especially on third down.

“And then we got very technical things that we’re working on, scramble drills, you know, I think just in general some situations,” Napier said. “Overall, I think the personnel is always up for evaluation.”

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