Watch & Read: Napier provides camp updates

Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators

• Top 25 of 2025: Time for McCray to show why he was a five-star
• Take Five: Fall Camp Preview
• Commitment Burn Barometer
• Mock Signing Class 5.0
• Early Entry Review: Woods’ name rang out
• Getting to Know: Daniel Pierre Louis
• Getting to Know: Onis Konanbanny
• Post-Spring/Transfer Portal Ranking of Florida position-by-position
• Getting to Know: Byron Louis

Florida head coach Billy Napier met with the media after Monday’s Fall Camp session.

BILLY NAPIER

• Billy Napier relayed what he called a cool experience. One of his former players from Clemson – Michael Palmer – was at today’s practice. He played three years for the Tigers, and then spent five years in the NFL. He was at practice with his wife and three kids. Napier coached him when he was 26 years old.
• Napier said that they had a really good day today, coming off an off day. He thought they showed up and had some juice. The practice came down to the last play, third and 10 inside the 10. The defense won the day.
• This is a critical week for the team. The challenge in the middle of training camp is to consistently show up and have the self-discipline of following through.
• On being No. 17 in the Coaches Poll, Napier said it is important for the team to be focused on the process and not other people’s opinions. They have to keep stacking days and focus on today. Then that turns into a good week, into a good month, and you look up and maybe you have a good season.
• The ranking doesn’t matter. They know that they are going to have to spot the ball and go earn it on the field.
• The amount of talent UF has is a given, but they are focused on all the things that have nothing to do with talent. Said that the players have worked hard in the weight room.
• They are in the production business. Games are coming. They have to get ready for the opportunity to produce and perform when it counts.
• Napier said it was good for ‘you guys to see him’ referring to the media and probably those outside of the building to see DJ Lagway throw. He said the coaches have been watching him work all summer. Napier said that there was a little bit of setback with the calf, but he has been working hard all summer and hopefully he will be able to do more day to day.
• Joseph Mbatchou is an interesting player. He only really has played one year of football. He is a basketball player who made the transition to football. Napier pointed out his fundamentals and said he is a very impressive young man.
• Napier said he is extremely proud of Ja’Kobi Jackson. Gave credit to the UF personnel staff for finding him. Jackson is big hip, runs low to the ground. He came in his first year out of shape. Napier said there might have been some buyer’s remorse. He said he is an inspiration to the entire team. Napier said that they have conviction in their evaluations.
• Napier said that they think they have four good guards, with backups Kamryn Waites and Roderick Kearney having good camps. Napier also singled out backup center Jason Zandamela for having a good camp. He feels good about the guys up front.
• As for true freshman safeties Lagonza Hayward and Drake Stubbs, and transfer Micheal Caraway Jr., Napier said that those are three players who the team needs them to speed up their development. UF needs them to be game-ready.
• Napier said that Jayden Woods has a different level of focus, maturity, and physicality.
• He pointed out Tank Hawkins as a player having a good couple of days. He called him tough. Mentioned him as a punt returner. Spoke about his improved route running.
• Napier called Aaron Gates one of the best football players on the team, and that he can play all five defensive backfield positions.

Courtesy GatorVision

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