Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators
- 8/17 Insider Scrimmage Notes
- Top 24 of 2024: Turner to help solidify safety position
- Early Entry Review: Lagway embarks on promising future
- Redshirt Report: High football IQ will serve Kearney well
- Anonymous Player Q&A I: Thoughts on the state of Florida football
- O&B Board: Uninformed Thoughts on Florida’s NIL
- Under Napier, Florida has a clear recruiting footprint
With Florida’s 2024 season opener against No. 19 Miami less than two weeks away, Inside the Gators has turned to former Gators football players to get their take on the upcoming season and the state of Florida football.
We will publish the results as they are returned.
Today we have responses from players from three different decades of Florida Football: defensive tackle Steven Harris (2002-06), defensive tackle Damien Jacobs (2012-13), and an anonymous former offensive lineman who played under Steve Spurrier.
In your opinion, what is the main reason or reasons that caused the Gators to have losing seasons these first two seasons under Billy Napier?
Harris: The first year is obviously challenging due to the changing of the coaching staff. There’s always an expected setback as everyone gets familiar with each other – coaches with players, new coaches with previous players, and new coaches with the staff. The first year is tough, especially if you can’t bring your complete staff. Contracts and budgeting also take time to iron out. Winning in the first year is ideal, but issues like these take at least a season or two to resolve. That uncertainty makes it hard to coach and recruit well in the first year or two.
Considering these challenges are normal with a change in leadership, add the fact that everyone was experiencing the transfer portal and NIL rules for the first time. Billy walked into a tough situation that looked bad on the outside but was even worse once he got familiar with it. In year one, he had to teach a new system to a junior quarterback Anthony Richardson, while dealing with a horrible defense. Coaches were moved around or changed roles, causing discord within the team.
Because of the challenges, we went 6-7 in year one, but there was still much work to be done. Year two presented new challenges. After evaluating the staff and players, Coach Napier parted ways with the defensive coordinator and hired Coach Austin Armstrong. Billy had to retain players, find a new veteran quarterback (since Richardson entered the NFL draft), and build a roster that fit his scheme. He managed to put together a top recruiting class despite these challenges.
Jacobs: I think the main reason is stability, we continue to start over and it’s hard on any staff to come in and catch fire immediately. I think coach is doing a good job in recruiting.
Anonymous Player: Billy Napier’s offensive play calling and terrible play by the defense with everything from fundamentals to scheme.
To this point, what is your opinion of Billy Napier?
Harris: In my opinion, the lack of success in the first two years was expected and shouldn’t be held against Billy. Anyone coming into the program would have faced the same issues. Considering the circumstances, I believe he’s doing a great job, and those two years should be seen as building years.
Jacobs: He doesn’t seem to be the most enthusiastic type, but that’s not the end all be all. I’m hoping his way of going about it works for the program.
Anonymous Player: He’s not getting the job done on the field. What’s depressing is that I don’t see any improvement at all, mostly regression in the last two seasons. A five-game losing streak to end the season last year.
What is the main change that needs to take place for Florida to get back on the winning track?
Harris: For me, the main changes that needed to take place were to get the right guy for the job, which I believe we have. However, we also needed to change the culture around the program, and that starts with the attitude of the people in charge! Recruiting had been at an all-time low by the time Billy Napier arrived, but since he’s been here, we have made done a total 180 in that department and acquired high-quality, character guys with a vicious tenacity. We also needed to get back to having a top defense and quality coaches who know how to teach the schemes they want to run. Not just call plays, but actually teach and develop. With all that in place, the most important thing is to get the guys back around the program who know what it takes and have them active around the team, pouring into the younger guys, which I also believe is taking place now.
Jacobs: As far as change we have to find a way to be good on both sides of the ball. It seems our offense takes a step forward and the defense takes a step back.
Anonymous Player: Scheme. We need an offense that plays smart and executes with a playcaller on the same page as the quarterback. On defense, we need better fundamentals in tackling, coverage, and rushing passer. It’s sad and embarrassing how bad our defense played last year vs Arkansas and LSU, especially. There was no pride at all.
Florida faces four opponents (#1 UGA, #4 UT, #6 Miss, and #10 FSU) who are ranked inside the top 10 of the AP Preseason Poll. Which game do you believe they are most likely to win and why?
Harris: I believe we’re well-positioned to win them all due to the significant changes we’ve made on both offense and defense, in terms of scheme, coaching, and personnel. While many people are counting us out, it’s important to remember that all of these teams have undergone changes and lost players during the off-season as well. I firmly believe that we’re hungrier this year and more determined than ever to prove everyone wrong.
Jacobs: I think we can steal a victory in Austin they have had major injuries that will affect their play. The Georgia game has shown that it can go either way depending on which Gators team shows up, and I always like our chances vs FSU.
Anonymous Player: #10 FSU because FSU isn’t really a top-10 team. Hopefully, after losing to UGA, LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas in a row, they will finally get mad and play hard vs FSU. At least my fingers are crossed.
What are your thoughts on where Florida currently stands at your former position?
Harris: As a former defensive lineman, I’m excited to see the depth and talent at that position. This year, I believe we’re even deeper and more experienced overall. I’m also impressed with the new additions we’ve brought in through the transfer portal and the incoming recruits from the new signing class. With these additions, I’m confident that our defensive line will be one of the top-performing groups this upcoming season.
Jacobs: I think the defensive line in general needs to get back to dominance. I feel like we have the guys. They have had time to develop. and grow up. I think this group will perform well. I’m looking forward to watching Big Dez play this year. If he can get going, he will be a problem.
Anonymous Player: The offensive line is hard to judge when the scheme has been so bad that it made it more of an emphasis than it needed to be. The line has talent. It will definitely help to get Austin Barber back healthy.
Which current player at your position are you expecting the most from this year? Is there a player you believe is flying under the radar but will shine this year? Is there a player you think needs to step up?
Harris: I’m excited about all the guys, but if I had to choose a few, I’d say I’m excited to see what Cam Jackson and Tyreak Sapp will do this year. I also want to see a lot from Joey Slackman. If I had to pick someone who I believe is flying under the radar, it would be Caleb Banks – I believe he’s going to have a breakout year and will contribute greatly! The person I’d like to see step up the most is Desmond Watson on the inside, but on the outside, I want to see a lot from Justus Boone and TJ Searcy on the edge. I’m also excited to see what LJ McCray does as a freshman this year!
Jacobs: He’s not my position, but I think Pup Howard may be a sleeper. Grayson is a freak. I had the pleasure of coaching him in high school and If he does what I know he’s capable of, he has a chance to be a Gator Great. I would challenge the whole defense to step up. We have to get back to playing fast and establishing our defense as one of the best in the country.
Anonymous Player: Graham Mertz needs to step up or hand the keys to DJ Lagway. My problem with him is that I see the offensive line taking a lot of hits for his play last year, but it sometimes looked like even when he had time he checked down to play it safe. Treyaun Webb needs to step up and fill the void Trevor Etienne left. I feel good about this one because I think Webb is way under the radar. He should have a great year.
What is your prediction on Florida’s final 12 game regular season record?
Harris: Given how tough our schedule is said to be again – that’s just outside noise – but taking that into consideration, I believe we’ll go 9-3 this year.
Jacobs: I predict we surprise a few people and walk away 8-4, I would hope that would be enough to keep the staff, I don’t think the program can handle another change right now. It will push us back years.
Anonymous Player: 4-8
That leaves me going with Jacobs.
Napier is a good play caller but it's almost impossible to be best HC you can be if you spend that much time on play calling.