What we learned from Billy Napier’s final presser of Florida Gators fall camp

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach Billy Napier met the media over the weekend for the final time before game week. The Gators completed fall training camp on Friday with their last scrimmage and will return to the practice field this Friday to begin Utah prep.

Before turning his attention to the Utes, Napier evaluated how his team performed in the scrimmage.

“I think we kind of officially turn the page here relative to training camp,” Napier said. “I do think we took a step forward in terms of the quality of football. It was much more competitive. I do think that we continue to need to develop more players who can play winning football and sustain the entirety of a scrimmage. More consistency. Still quite a bit of young players who are getting better but are they ready for what we all understand and know is coming?”

The Gators open their 2023 season on Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. on ESPN. Here’s what we learned from Napier’s final presser of fall training camp.

Gators are ‘young’ but capable

That quote above was the first of 10 times that Napier used the word “young” on Saturday. He also mentioned it when asked whether has an SEC-level two-deep.

Despite the number of rookies or newcomers, Napier made it clear that he feels the roster has been upgraded with the new additions by him and his staff.

“We had a two-deep group of players last year and we lost a lot of close games. So, I do think we have more depth,” Napier said. “I do think that some positions in our team, maybe we don’t.

“But I do think that we’re just young, and I think that two-deep is made up of rookies or portal players. But I think we’ve got a very capable group. I think there’s some height, length, speed that’s maybe there that wasn’t there before.”

On Sunday, I released my depth chart projection for the season opener and the two-deep features nine new transfers (seven starters) and 10 true freshmen. If you include players from Florida’s 2022 class, my two-deep has a total of 14 transfers (10 starters) and 22 underclassmen (4-5 starters).

Napier named 11 players from his 2023 class who took a leap during fall camp.

“A lot of these young players have made significant progress,” Napier said. “Kamran James, in particular, Ja’Keem Jackson, Jordan Castell. I think Manny Nunnery has had a really good camp. I think Jaden Robinson has had a really good game. Caleb Banks has been impressive at times. T.J. Searcy.

“I think Lyndell [Harris] is a guy that’s done really well. We all know about Knijeah [Harris] because he had a good experience in the spring. Tony Livington, Hayden Hansen, both really have accelerated their growth. Treyaun Webb. Those are a few off the top of my head.”

Two-deep is ‘highly competitive’

The influx of new talent has created more competition at several positions. Napier has named redshirt junior Graham Mertz, but there’s still a few ongoing battles.

“It is highly competitive on our team,” Napier said. “The two-deep, rotational players, what percentage of the snaps at your position are you going to play? Are you one-to-one, two-to-one, three-to-one, will you play at all, are you a situational player? So, every day between now and when we kick off this opener, I think we’ll be evaluating performance.”

The position battles that will carry into the season are at defensive tackle, inside linebacker, safety, STAR, TE1, CB2 and WR3. The most competitive spots may be safety and inside linebacker, while young players such as redshirt freshman tight end Arlis Boardingham and freshmen receivers Andy Jean, Aidan Mizell and Eugene Wilson III will push for more playing time as the season progresses.

“It is extremely competitive right now in most rooms relative to how we’re going to play the players in the game,” Napier said. “We have a group of established players, but we have a lot of players that are right in the middle now of heated competition. We’re just going to let that competition take its place. But I do think we’ve made a ton of progress.”

How Florida is replacing Boone

Napier discussed how the Gators have adjusted their starting lineup following the season-ending injury to EDGE Justus Boone, who torn his ACL in the first scrimmage on Aug. 10.

Gators Online predicted that fellow redshirt sophomore Tyreak Sapp would switch from defensive tackle to defensive end. That position change took place in the ensuing practices.

“I think the things we’ll ask him to do, you know, he’s doing a little bit at the other position. And primarily, he’s played situationally there (at DE) in the past. So, Sapp’s up for the challenge. That’s what I would tell you,” Napier said.

“There’s an inventory of things that we’re going to ask him to do that I think he’s very capable of doing. But no one has had a better attitude or brings energy and focus and the right approach to the building everyday than that guy.”

In addition to Sapp, the Gators have several underclassmen at the EDGE position who will be contributing more with Boone out. Napier expressed confidence in freshmen defensive ends Kelby Collins and Kamran James as well as a pair of outside linebackers — sophomore Jack Pyburn and freshman TJ Searcy — who can also line up at the ‘F’ spot.

“I think it’s all about the groupings that you play in and the groupings you play against. We’re gonna be okay there,” Napier said of defensive end. “I’m really excited about the young group of EDGE players. I would like to know if there’s a better group of young EDGE players in the country.

“You think about Kelby, Kamran, TJ, Jack’s a young player. I think that room there, we’re just gonna have to live with growing pains if that make sense. But I do think those guys are excited about the opportunity. … There’ll be some things that come as these guys gain more experience. I think they’ll get better and better as we go.”

Injury update on Miller, others

Napier also provided an injury update on a few players, including quarterback Jack Miller III. The redshirt sophomore missed the last five practices of fall camp.

Gators Online reported Friday that Miller had an MRI on his shoulder last week.

“He has tendinitis in his cuff,” Napier said. “So, we just slowed him down a little bit. We’ll get him back here shortly.”

Napier confirmed that redshirt senior running back Cam Carroll was out for the season after suffering a knee injury with a knee injury in Friday’s scrimmage.

He was also asked about redshirt junior center Kingsley Eguakun, who suffered a minor lower body injury last Wednesday, and sophomore linebacker Shemar James, who was limited during the final three practices in a non-contact jersey after missing two weeks with a knee injury.

“Those guys we anticipate getting back soon,” Napier said. “I think we feel positive. We feel good about player availability relative to when we turn the page.

“I think we’ve always had guys that are modified or maybe aren’t able to participate. How is this different than any other training camp in the history of football?

Hudson’s return has helped

One of those players who was sidelined during camp was redshirt senior offensive lineman Lyndell Hudson II. The FIU transfer was involved in a minor car accident after the opening day of camp and did not play again until practice No. 10.

Friday’s scrimmage was the first one and his return has helped the Gators establish depth at right tackle, where Hudson will backup redshirt sophomore Damieon George.

“Lyndell is gonna help us. There’s no question. He’s been impressive in my opinion,” Napier said. “To think about when he arrived, he’s been able to pick it up. The guy has played, I was looking at the numbers, 1,300 plays — maybe more than that. Guy’s played a lot of football. He has traits. He’s got nice length.

“He’s got 36-inch arms, which is really unique. He’s done a nice job in pass protection. And I think he’s developed some confidence as a result of his participation in practice. We’re very pleased with his progress. We got to get him ready to go so he will get some more reps.”

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