Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- Instant Analysis: True freshmen shine in spring game
- O&B Game Box Score
- O&B Board: Live Updates O&B Game
- Mock Signing Class 2.0
- Initial Impression: Early Entry Freshmen
- Initial Impression: Five transfers
Florida head football coach Billy Napier, quarterbacks Harrison Bailey and Aidan Warner, along with running back Ja’Kobi Jackson met with the media after Saturday’s O&B Game.
Billy Napier
BILLY NAPIER: Okay. Well, look, I was proud of the Orange team to regroup a little bit at halftime and come out and make it a game. I thought we got some momentum right there before the half, got a score and able to get a stop and really make it competitive. I was worried there for a little bit, to be honest with you (laughter).
But look, I think we learned a lot just in terms of what’s required to play winning football, the offensive team on the Orange group, two turnovers on the first half, a fringe sack, and then some missed tackles and I thing this really had to wake up on defense a little bit, but in general, got out of here healthy. I think you can see some of the young players’ flash today and certainly decent quarterback play for the most part, you know, move the ball around, so in gentlemen, very positive, man. I thought it was an awesome idea by the athletic department to kind of join up the Orange and Blue game with the celebration for the national championship team and Coach Golden, recognize those seniors and also those guys that are coming back, so.
Man, we’re very thankful for the crowd. Never fails our fans show up and show out, and I thought it was an unbelievable day in there. Couldn’t ask for much better weather than that, so, yeah, what questions we got?
Q. Can we start with Dallas Wilson, spring game record? I think it was 10 for 195 —
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah.
Q. — with two scores. Is this a trajectory for him or is this a little bit of a surprise?
BILLY NAPIER: No, I think the ball went his direction today. I think we were able to take advantage of the match-ups, the situations. He made some plays and not all those were routine. I thought some of those were really impressive. He’s a big, physical player, you know? And I think the toughness that he showed in practice I’ve been impressed with his football intelligence, how he’s been able to retain information and obviously you don’t produce like that today unless you’re been really working hard, so he’s had a good offseason and when given opportunities today, I thought he took full advantage of it. So we’ve seen a lot of that in practice.
Like I told you guys before, these rankings are a little more accurate than they’ve ever been and I’d say that’s what a Five-Star looks like.
Q. Ty Jackson and Drake Stubbs leaving the game as two of the leading tacklers. How impressive was that for them being so young at this point?
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, I thought Stubbs was really active. He’s got a knack for finding the ball. He continues to evolve in terms of knowing the system, but in general, physical player, not scared of contact, seeks it out. I thought he did a good job as a blitzer today a couple different times and just height, length, and then, you know, he’s not scared to put his face in there. He will continue to grow and evolve. Still a young player, still learning. I think the game is slowing down for him a little bit, but good special teams player. A big summer ahead for him.
Q. Just, Billy, talk about running backs. Another great day for them. Ja’Kobi was, you know, almost 200 yards rushing. Jadan obviously had a good day, big catch as well. What did you see from them today?
BILLY NAPIER: Well, we got… D’Antre got nicked up early, so the defensive front for that Orange team was a little thin. I thought the Blue team took advantage of that, but just standing back there behind it, I thought that Ja’Kobi and Jadan both played fast. I thought they were decisive. We covered them up. Really, the plays were made once it got to the secondary, that’s where we had the biggest issues tackling, so I think in general, it’s hard to get to excited about it because I’m evaluating the defense too. So I think we need to tackle a little bit better in the secondary, but these two guys, obviously, we know what we have. They were productive last year and I think they’re even better a year into it.
Q. And then just about the other receivers, Vernell got some action, J. Michael, the newcomers besides Dallas.
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, Naeshaun I thought was good. And, you know, Aidan was open a couple of times in the game. I thought we missed him a couple of times, Tank with a big touchdown. This is by far the deepest receiver group we’ve had since we’ve been here and documented speed. There’s a bunch of speed out there. So that’s got a chance to be a strength for us. If we can put together some balance there and distribute the ball and get good quarterback play, got a chance to make more explosives in the future. I think ultimately, that’s an area where we need to improve to go the distance.
Q. Coach, where is the defense after really a stellar last five games of the season where their confidence is right now? It looked to be a lot more confident bunch playing on the string a little better, really, to be kind of vanilla, still flying to the football.
BILLY NAPIER: Sure, a little better in the second I thought. The Blue team, the Blue defense I thought you can see the depth difference, I think. So we’re without a few there and I think that those are difference-makers. When you start talking about getting DD back, Bryce back, banks back, D’Antre went out in the first possession. Brien Taylor. George Gumbs. So I do think… you get Aaron Gates back from injury. So, the good thing is those young players, like we mentioned before, Stubbs, Laganza, Ty Jackson, Jeremiah McCloud. Stephon Shivers. Jayden Woods. There’s a bunch of freshman that have been in that two-deep and we’ve seen those guys grow and benefit from the injuries, so, we can view that as a negative or you think we can view it as a positive, so we got a chance to get those guys that have played a lot of football back.
But in general, I thought we could have been better on defense today. I think the players will probably tell you that as well. Just tackling in general. In the beginning of the game, we were not ready. I think we settled in and did that better, but got to start a little faster.
Q. Yeah, Billy, you mentioned a lot of guys kind of nursing things, but DJ in particular, what’s the course ahead for him? Level of optimism for him?
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, DJ’s doing great. He’ll start throwing here in a couple weeks. But, yeah, just in general, very positive there. The lower body stuff is good and I think he’s been able to do that and I think we’re working on just kind of getting him in position for the next step but in general, there are a lot of positives. Everything’s on schedule.
Q. So you expect him fully ready for camp?
BILLY NAPIER: Oh, yeah. He’ll be — when we start OTAs in June, he’ll be 100%. He’ll start throwing in a couple weeks.
Q. Just to follow up on that, how are his spirits you think have been through this month? And maybe what has he gained by not throwing in terms of some of the mental reps that you were talking about?
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, I think the biggest thing is that it’s been a challenge, right? Just in terms of — I think the big thing is we challenge them, too. How can you affect a team every day independent of your production, your performance? So I think his ability to connect with his teammates to create leadership opportunities throughout practice, throughout the offseason program. So he’s frustrated, obviously. He wants to play, man. Nobody likes to play more than that guy. And I would say in general, injuries are a huge part of one of the more challenging things. So Caleb, Bryce, obviously, has been through some struggles there, DD, Gates. You think about K Jack, Trey Wilson. We’re close to being, I think, get these guys back and I think you got a chance to have a really deep football team.
Q. And then the experience. On the offensive line, how did you see the benefits of that today?
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, I think it’s good for Cam and Rod and Enoch and Noel to get that play time today. I think that’s pivotal. Damian and Knijeah are probably the two most experienced inside players, so to be without them I thought that presented opportunities for Cam and Rod and certainly Noel and Enoch, those two, really their first time to play in that stadium, so I think that’ll be a huge benefit for them to create some confidence going forward.
Q. Billy, we obviously asked about DJ but the rest of the quarterback room, obviously that I have gotten more opportunities this spring. How do you feel like that position as a whole is right now?
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, I think it’s competitive. I thought — you guys watched the scrimmage today. I think those guys were very capable and I thought Aidan did a good job running his team and I think Harrison maybe a little bit of a slow start, the players around him, some drops. I think the protection at times could have been a little better, but in general, I was pleased. There were a few situations where we took sacks. I think we got to manage the pocket a little bit better, but, yeah. I feel good. Tramell got two possessions today. He’s probably 90% coming off the injury and then we’ll start over the teaching progression in summer A and I think that, obviously, will be big for him. So all three of those guys need to continue to improve.
Q. 10-7 two years ago and Lane Kiffin was mocking you a little bit.
BILLY NAPIER: (Laughter).
Q. Last year, 19-17. Are we seeing an evolution of your spring or is this an evolution of talent? Are we seeing more talent in the program and this is the result?
BILLY NAPIER: Well, I think these skill players — we’ve had this conversation before, you know? I think that the key is the — we watched the playoff it is last couple of years. I think to go the distance, you need explosive play-makers on offense, right? Especially in our system. So, you know, the backs were productive today. I thought the skill players were impressive. So, yeah, I’m hopeful that that’s an indication of where we’re at. I’m also evaluating that defense, so in general, I’m hopeful that that’s an indicator that we’ve got more speed on our team, more play-making ability, more match-up players. But, yeah, I think we’re playing through our strengths. We’ve tried to do that in the past, so I think wore making progress there.
Q. Billy, what went into the decision to not televise the spring game today and how do you see that evolving in the future? Are you still hopeful that the spring portal window will go away that will maybe make coaches less protective of spring games?
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, I think that we… once we didn’t necessarily get the call to be one of the prime spots, I think we felt like, hey, what are the advantages and disadvantages? So gives us the freedom to just call everything.
We also felt like we’d get better attendance. People want to see the show. In general, couldn’t have asked for a better day. Then the basketball team wins the National Championship and I think that just was the icing on the cake there from a decision-making standpoint. So, it was a great day and we’re very thankful for the fans that came out and for the basketball team to be recognized at halftime, we couldn’t have asked for much better. So in general, we don’t have to worry about what’s on tape and obviously people aren’t evaluating our twos and threes in the depth chart.
Q. On that note, how much attrition do you expect this spring from the roster and is there a spot or two that you still want to address in the portal?
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, we’ve reached agreements with 98% of the team, so I think we’re just one or two players away from being done. So as far as the player retention part. Now, we’ll evaluate what becomes available every day going forward. Maybe there’s a situation that can make our team better around we’ll definitely be aggressive if we feel that way.
Q. “Reached agreements” interesting.
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, welcome.
Q. Interesting lexicon these days.
BILLY NAPIER: Mmm. A lot better than it used to be. I can tell you that much.
Q. So how long were you guys signing autographs? I was up stairs writing.
BILLY NAPIER: 45 minutes.
Q. Okay. So was DJ on a pitch count there too (laughter)? Because he literally had endzone to endzone line and he left some at the alt tar.
BILLY NAPIER: I was a little jealous. I got about 40 or 50 in my line and I can’t see the end of his line, so (Laughter).
Q. It’s unbelievable. So just how — we’ve asked you a million times. I mean, he’s in the spotlight constantly. Walter Clayton might have taken a little bit of that away from him.
BILLY NAPIER: Sure.
Q. But just the way he handles that, it’s just an incredible fascination around this young man.
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, I think the… look. The key for us, we do good job as an organization of, first of all, helping lead him through some of that, keeping him process-oriented, helping him recenter around his purpose, his passion, his love of the game and ultimately help him lead his team. I think if he gets consumed with improvement, if he gets consumed with how he can lead the team and make the other people around him better, I think that gives him the best chance to play the way he’s capable of playing.
All these things come with that but we have to keep the main thing the main thing and I think that’s where this year it’ll be important. He’ll be tested in that area. I think it’s important that we help him do that. He’s got the character to sustain is what I would say. So there’s a humility there. The devotion today, this morning, was about the fruit of the spirit, right? And we’ll let you guys do your homework on that. But if he can do that, I think he’s got a chance to continue to be a productive player.
Q. I hate to go from fruits of the spirit to the transfer protal but back to what Zack was talking about, how much does that change what you can actually do in the spring? Tennessee’s a playoff team. They lose their quarterback team the day before their spring game. How much can you actually accomplish in the spring and how big of a problem is that?
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, I would tell you a lot of my job is TBD, right? I think what we’ve tried to do, and I’ve said this publicly, I think for probably the first 18 months I’m sitting around for somebody to tell me what to do, like what are the rules? Hey, what can we do? What can’t we do? Just kind of got to a point where, like, screw that. We’re coming up with our rules, our own system. We’re not waiting on anybody to tell us what to do. We’re just going to be aggressive and go do what we think is best. We’ve done that, we created a great system. I’m very thankful for Florida Victorious, their leadership, how they’ve enabled us to acquire talent, the resources that we have, the investors that we have and the roster that we’ve been able to put together as a result of that. I think now we’re built systematically to continue that part of what we do, so I think if you spend all your days looking around at what everybody else is doing and all that, it’s a waste of time. We’ve got our system, we use analytics, we have our algorithms built and we are aggressive in what we think is best for the team and we got great personnel. I’m very thankful for the front office people we’ve hired, Nick Polk, Ben Elsner. I think Jacob LaFrance and Chad Lucas have done a good job and right now we’re in the position where we don’t have to worry about the portal. If anything, we may add a player or two, but we’ve retained 98% of our team, and we got eight more high school players that’ll be here June 1st.
MODERATOR: Last question.
Q. Billy, obviously, linebackers Jaden, Myles, both had huge days, local kids. Talk about what you see from them and as young players, what are their expectations for the season?
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, the backer group has been impressive all spring. I think Coach Bala has done a great job hitting the ground running. He had good knowledge and comprehension of our system and I think he’s a great teacher, so Aaron Chiles, Myles Graham, J Rob, even Ty Jackson took advantage of pickup being out and he’s had a good spring. It’s similar to Lagonza and Stubbs. Those ghouls are getting rips with the second group where they would have been on the developmental field. So, yeah, just in general that group, the big jump is the first year of experience to the next season is where the huge jumps are and both of these guys fit in that category.
Q. Billy, we saw your home run. What’s your three-point range?
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah…
Q. Walter Clayton…
BILLY NAPIER: Yeah, I used to — I’m not going to say anything about it because I’m going to have players calling me out (laughter), but I’ll play you in HORSE. Just put it that way, okay (laughter)?
Harrison Bailey
MODERATOR: We’re joined by quarterback Harrison Bailey.
Q. I believe it was either your first start or main even your first college throw was in this stadium, so to come back here and perform now with these guys as your fans, how was it?
HARRISON BAILEY: It was — my first start was versus Florida when I was at Tennessee. A real experience considering I grew up a Florida fan, watching Tebow and Chris Rainey, Demps and all those boys play, but it was pretty unreal, you know, running out the stadium, being able to compete and play against some of my teammates, with some of my teammates, it was an unreal experience, something I’ve dreamed up since I was a little kid.
Q. You ever thrown 40-plus passes in an exhibition before?
HARRISON BAILEY: No. I didn’t think we’d get to that point, but we fell behind early and just moving up and down the field and run game really wasn’t working so we started airing it out and helps when you have guys like 10 and 6 catching the ball for you, so.
Q. I was going to ask about that good fortunate of having Dallas on your team today?
HARRISON BAILEY: I did, yeah, I was stoked to have Dallas when they announced the teams, and I told him as soon as they put it up on the screen that he was going to have 10-plus catches, 200-plus, like… I was going to find a way to get him the ball. That’s one of the jobs of a quarterback, getting the play-makers the ball and let them make plays.
Q. Was that something first day of spring practice you saw him and you were like wow, this guy is something else?
HARRISON BAILEY: When he came out there, he looked the part for sure. Just seen him in one-on-ones, he plays in a very veteran kind of style the way he runs route, very crisp, very big, physical guy, a big radius so Dallas is one that really impressed.
Q. What does this do for your confidence moving forward? 363 yards, three touchdowns, all that, what does that do for you moving forward as the number two going into the fall?
HARRISON BAILEY: Yeah, so I would say it does a lot. It’s pretty big, especially heading into the summer where we’ll get a little bit of time off and head into OTAs, but it’s just good momentum to have. I think we played well. I think everybody… really, everybody on the Orange team’s office, we really performed, so.
Q. Yeah, Harrison, why’d you pick to come here? Are you still taking advantage of COVID year, you have one more year of that, right? You might be the last cycling through.
HARRISON BAILEY: Yeah, this is my COVID year, yeah. This is my last year. Yeah, big thing. I’ve had a few people ask me, but my whole college journey, how’d I end up here and I would say, you know, like I said earlier, it’s a dream school of mine. I knew when the opportunity arose that this is the place where I wanted to be and finish out my college career and wherever it goes, it goes, you know.
Q. Yeah, I know that was kind of repetitive, more of the COVID thing, but also DJ obviously, that might give some people because he’s so talented and all that, but he obviously hasn’t been throwing.
HARRISON BAILEY: Right.
Q. What have you seen from him watching him on film? How do you hope to kind of help him and also learn from each other?
HARRISON BAILEY: Yeah, absolutely. DJ’s a great guy. One of the best quarterbacks that I’ve been around from the perspective of, one, he’s very skilled, very great dude. We chop it up all the time, just about life in general, just a very down-to-earth guy, somebody I’m glad I’m in the room with. We just bounce ideas all of each. Any way I can help him in his career and likewise with me, any way that he can help me, we learn from each other, so, he’s a great dude, man.
Q. You saw his autograph line?
HARRISON BAILEY: I did, I seen it, it was backed up. I kind of paused for a second, I looked and I was like man. It felt like me when I was first coming out. But, yeah. He’s awesome. He deserves it, man. He’s a great dude.
Q. Yeah, playing at Louisville last year under Jeff Brohm, he’s known as a quarterback guy, I’m curious what you picked up from him during that one year that’s carried over into maybe your final season?
HARRISON BAILEY: Yeah, so coach Coach Brohm, he’s awesome. Different style coach than Coach Napier. I tell people all the time coach Napier is my favorite coach I’ve ever been around, any position, anything. Coach Nape’s down to earth. He’ll shoot it straight with you but also he’ll put you under his wing and teach you. Coach Brohm, he runs a great system. They have a great program up there. It’s been on the up and up every single year. I was there two years with him and I have nothing but good thing to say about him and his brother.
Q. Harrison, what’s it been like learning this offense this spring and just getting acclimated to the system, working with Coach O’Hara too?
HARRISON BAILEY: Yeah, Coach O’Hara’s been pretty cool to work with. He’s taught me pretty much that I’ve known since I’ve been here. I would say the system is a little different, just verbiage and some of the calls are a little more wordy, just full, just getting a whole grasp on the offense. It’s been a little bit different. But coach O’Hara has really helped that process by preparing us for meetings and one-on-one meetings and whatever it may be, walkthroughs. He’s been a big part of helping me learn.
Q. How much do you feel like you’ve progressed in the system and how much does today’s performance help carry you into the offseason?
HARRISON BAILEY: Yeah, felt like the first couple days of spring ball I’m just guessing and now he’s able to call whatever and I know what I’m supposed to be doing and a few plays today, I made a few mistakes, eyes in the wrong place, took the wrong drop, whatever it may be, but I’m still progressing and he lets me know for sure when I’m not doing the right stuff, so.
Q. Wanted to ask again about the receivers besides Dallas, you had Naeshaun on your team, obviously, you have seen Vernell, J. Mike, some of the newer guys in practice. Coach said it’s the deepest receiving core he’s ever had here. What can you say about them as a whole?
HARRISON BAILEY: Yeah, I told somebody earlier in spring that asked about our receiving group and I said it’s one of the best that I’ve ever seen in college football. Every one of those guys have speed, has range, surefire hands and run great routes and most of them if not all of them are just first year in the system trying to learn how to run routes, get a feel for the offense and, man, it’s a dangerous group for sure.
Q. And then running back group is pretty good as well, obviously, Ja’Kobi had a great game Jayden had a good game. What can you say about them and the one-two punch they’ll provide.
HARRISON BAILEY: Yeah, Jack Cheese, he’s a — we call him Jack Cheese. That’s his nickname. We love my guy. He’s a special talent. But the whole group in general. They’re a tight-knit group. JB, obviously, he’s from Myrus. I’ve known JB for a while. They’re real close and they all push each other. They taught me a big thing, a difference between competing and competition and that group they compete, every day, day in and day out, pushing each other and, again, they’re like the quarterback group, they bounce ideas off each other. It’s going to be an computing group. You seen what they did today, they were running the ball.
Q. Don’t want to close with this one but as a guy whose been around and seen some things, were you surprised to see what happened at Tennessee today with Nico?
HARRISON BAILEY: Yeah, that was — I didn’t even know until some of the Gator fans were running up to me telling me. Yeah, it doesn’t sur — I, I don’t really know. I don’t know the full situation so I can’t really comment too much on it, but I’ve met Nico before and I know how Coach Heupel and the group is and they’re all great people. I have nothing negative to say about them but maybe the situation just wasn’t right at the time and they parted ways, so.
Q. But that’s kind of where I was thinking a guy who transfers, been in the portal, seen the portal, it’s kind of where we’re headed, right? A little bit maybe?
HARRISON BAILEY: I don’t know, when I first entered college, there was no such thing as the portal (laughter) which is interesting to say. Yeah, I don’t know, a new day and age in football. I’m glad I’m getting out of it. It’s helped me a lot I will say.
Q. Thank you.
Aidan Warner
MODERATOR: We’re joined by Aidan Warner, we’ll cope it up for questions.
Q. First question is how did it feel to be out there today, you obviously had pretty good running backs on your team, how did it feel to get back out there?
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah it was great. Every day in the swamp, every day you get to compete in the swamp’s a great day. You touched on the running backs, obviously having Jack Cheese and Jadan Baugh in the back field makes it a lot easier for me, but, yeah, it’s great to be in the swamp. Great to compete in the swamp.
Q. And then Dallas. I mean, you weren’t throwing the ball to him but you saw what he was doing.
AIDAN WARNER: I was watching. The kid was unreal. I wish he was on my team. The kid’s a stud.
Q. Is that something where you knew — I asked Harrison this but first day spring practice, he comes in and you’re just like he’s got it.
AIDAN WARNER: Oh, yeah, he’s big, he’s athletic. He’s making plays people his size shouldn’t be making and he’s a freshman. So, I mean, he’s competing with our DBs who are some of the best, I think, in the SEC, and he’s super young, so his ceiling is, I mean, sky’s the limit for him.
Q. How about Vernell?
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah, same thing for him, these young gays, they’re different, to saw the least. These young guys, sky’s the limit for their potential.
Q. You’ve seen DJ. He’s different as well, but you guys, because he couldn’t really throw, what kind of opportunities does that give you to develop. I know you kind of were thrown in the four last year. Did that give you a chance to develop and also Harrison, the repetitions and the offense he might need to have a key role if needed?
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah, definitely. DJ being out not throwing the ball gave me the opportunity to throw the ball every practice and take a lot of those first team reps, throwing with these guys like Vernell and J. Mike. It’s an opportunity that I’m super grateful for because, like you said last year, it didn’t go exactly how we wanted it to but this is an opportunity to get back on my feet and compete and get better.
Q. You didn’t have a whole lot of time with the team, really, last year, right? Before you had to play?
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah, kind of got thrown in there, but that’s the opportunity we ask for, that’s the opportunity I want, so just every day, coming back and competing and trying to get better and step up when they need me.
Q. And what do you think of Harrison’s experience, his ability, and what he’s going to braining to the team?
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah, it’s great… losing Graham, so, having another guy who hes been there and done that and have experience playing, here, it’s great to have him in the room and somebody to learn from and somebody to take advice from, because, like I said, he’s been there. He’s played in the SEC. Another veteran in the room is super cool.
Q. What was it like playing at Yale?
AIDAN WARNER: Yell, I didn’t get to take many snaps at Yale, but it was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I would say just being a student there was super cool, being in New Haven, Connecticut. Football, too. Playing Harvard, 50,000 people in the stadium, it’s quite a cool experience.
Q. And then what brought you here to Florida and made you want to take on this opportunity?
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah, I entered the transfer protal and I got the opportunity to walk on here and growing up a Gator fan, I mean, it’s the dream to be here to be in the swamp and compete in the Swamp like I got the opportunity to do today, so when Napier gave me that opportunity, it was hard to say no.
Q. What was your mindset when you got thrust into action against Georgia, the world’s largest cocktail party.
AIDAN WARNER: Like I said, it’s the moment you dream of. Be ready, you know? Play. Step up when they need you. The team’s relying on you, so I thought I was ready to compete and do what I do.
Q. How much do you feel like you’ve improved over the course of the past year?
AIDAN WARNER: Oh, I mean, especially having this opportunity this spring, I think it’s a world of difference. I’m super grateful to have that opportunity to get better. I think I can keep getting better as I go and keep getting these reps.
Q. What do you feel like you’ve improved the most with?
AIDAN WARNER: I’d say the systems is one of the biggest ones, just getting all the reps, really understanding the system and really trying to accomplish exactly what Napier is trying to accomplish with every play. And then Coach O’ Hara has been really good with developing me as a quarterback, you know, making the right reads, making the right throws, being accurate, being decisive. That kind of stuff.
Q. We already know you can spin it.
AIDAN WARNER: I appreciate it.
Q. I’ll ask one more, with regards to you playing the Georgia game, coming into the Georgia game and then starting at Texas, this offseason, those games didn’t go the way you wanted, how much has that served as a motivator knowing that that was when you saw the field and now in case it happens again, you want to be ready to…
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah, 100%. When I step on the field now, I put myself in that situation. I put myself in Georgia, I put myself in Texas. If you want to play in the SEC, that’s what you got to do. Now taking every practice, every scrimmage, every spring game as an opportunity get better and be ready for that moment when my name’s called.
Q. You mentioned getting thrown into the fire, then you come out here today, you throw a couple touchdowns. You show the fans you can find success even though they were a little worried after those two games. How big is that for your confidence?
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah, it’s huge, but at the end of the day, I know what I can do. I’ve gone out there and practiced and I think I’ve been able to step up, but definitely doing it with everyone watching is super cool for me. It’s a dream of mine, so definitely huge.
MODERATOR: Appreciate it. Thank you.
Q. Are you technically still a walk-on?
AIDAN WARNER: Yes, technically still a walk-on, yes, sir.
Ja’Kobi Jackson
MODERATOR: All right, joined by Ja’Kobi Jackson.
Q. Ja’Kobi, how did you feel about your performance day and getting off in the spring game.
JA’KOBI JACKSON: It was pretty good performance, I would say. My O-line did a great job today and it wasn’t really much I had to do but just run full speed and run straight, so, yeah, great day.
Q. You had to do some things on that 90-yard touchdown, though.
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Yeah, a few tackles, made a little something happen, so, yeah. Pretty exciting.
Q. How had this spring gone for you? We’ve heard from a lot of players and coaches that you have established yourself as a leader on the team. How have you done that?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Just by continuous work and just but leading the young guys, per group, like reps. I’m trying to be in the front. I’m trying to show them how the drill goes and everything, so just communicating what we’re trying to do here and that’s the main goal.
Q. And we hear you’re a vocal leader?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Yeah, very vocal. I like to trash talk. I like positive talk. All through and through, so.
Q. What did you think about the offense in general and how you guys performed?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Very explosive. I think we did a great job passing and running the ball today, protecting the QB, offensive line did a great job blocking up front and we had us a day today, I can say.
Q. First I got to ask, Jack Cheese, where does the nickname come from?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Coach Juluke one day, he just like… he called me Jack Cheese and then it’s just been up from there. Some time last year he called me that and then the whole facility called me that.
Q. Coach was saying that the Orange team had some injuries on the D-line before the game. As a running back, how excited did that make you knowing that you could capitalize on that?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Not really much excited. I mean, I felt like even if they weren’t hurt, I would probably still do what I do, but pretty exciting still to be able to do it.
Q. And then obviously the basketball team God honored halftime. How cool was that just to have them in the building and just everything that they’ve been through and how that can motivate you guys this season?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Oh, yeah, definitely. Knowing that they won a National Championship, that’s our main goal, what we want to continue to work hard towards and just having them here today was very exciting to see them and I was very excited to see them since they won a Natty.
Q. Yeah, I’m curious coming from a smaller school in Pensacola, then going to JUCO route, how much on a chip on your shoulder do you have? How has that fuelled you to this point?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Yeah, it fuelled me more before I got here, but it it’s still fuelling me every day when I’m here I. just want to continue to work. I just want everybody to know me as a person, I’m going to come in every day and work. I’m not going to complain, not too much to worry about when it comes to me.
Q. How much progress have you made from when you first arrived in games until now, thinking back to your first spring?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Crazy, because I didn’t even have a spring my first — I got here in like June. So just now and then is totally different, I would say tremendously different. I would just say I learned the system. I know the system now, so really just learning the system and just becoming better every day, that’s what I thrive on.
Q. And what did it mean for you to have a breakout year last year and get the opportunity to play and show what you can do?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Just staying patient, you know? Listening to my coaches every day knowing that injuries can happen and when it comes, you got to step up and that’s all I wanted to do last year was step up. If the team needed me, that’s all I did, so.
Q. What did you learn from Montrell Johnson?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: I just learned how toe a pro, really. Day by day, how to take care of my body, how to come in and watch film. Really much of everything.
Q. And what has Coach Juluke taught you and how has he helped your game develop?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Coach Juluke really has just taught me how to be, like, more just basically learning the system. Like I didn’t really know too much football coming from junior college so I didn’t really know too much defenses and everything and calls and blitzes, so really just teaching me the fundamentals of again but on, like, on a higher level, I would say.
Q. Who do you trash talk with the most on the team?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: I trash talk with DD and I would say Sharif Denson.
Q. What are those exchanging like?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Really just oh, he’ll hit-stick me, I’ma stiff-arm him, so really just trash talking, he’ll hit-stick me, I’ll shake him, or something like that, so. Pretty much just regular ol’ trash talking.
Q. I got to ask you about Dallas. I mean, you and him had kind of the breakout performances today. What can you say about him?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Very explosive. He’s learned the system. That’s what I’m saying, he’s learned the system. He’s still explosive and very athletic I would say. He’s a great ballplayer. Excited to play this year with him and excited to see what he’s going to do for the University of Florida.
Q. What kind of contrast do you think — he’s a big guy, especially for a freshman, then someone like Vernell, obviously has the speed, those newcomers, kind of the contrasting styles and how much can they help the receiving corps this season?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Definitely make the receiver room more versatile, I would say, just because having young guys who can come in there and take the top off or they can block for the wide receivers and the running backs or they can run routes so I would say it’s great to have every young guy we have on the team right now.
Q. And then just offensive line, how much did out help today, first time kind of going out there and being, like, everyone’s back from last year, which doesn’t almost happen, almost everyone is back. How much now being out there today did you realize that that helps?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Yeah, having a vet O-line, that’s what I said at the beginning, like it’s not too much you really have to do. They know their assignment, they know what we’re trying to do every play, so very great to have those guys back this year.
Q. What’s it like playing with Jadan Baugh?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Jadan Baugh is great. We compete every day. That’s my guy. We don’t hold nothing against each other. Whenever we do something wrong or something we don’t think we should do, we’ll be like, hey, man, you could have did this and we take it like that and just go on with it. Every day is a competition and we come in ready to work every day.
Q. What type of one-two punch do you think you guys can be again this year and do you think you guys can be the best in the SEC?
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Yeah, I definitely think we can be one of the best in the SEC if not the best. Just power and explosive, explosive plays, that’s what we’re going to bring to the table this year.
Q. Saw today.
JA’KOBI JACKSON: Yes, sir.
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