Watch & Read: It’s Miami week

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

• Florida Football Preseason Superlatives
• 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

Florida head coach Billy Napier along with quarterback Graham Mertz and cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. met with the media on Monday to discuss fall camp and the upcoming season opener against No. 19 Miami.

BILLY NAPIER

Highlights

• Napier started off congratulating the Florida team on winning the LLWS
• He also brought up UF selling out season tickets and selling out the Miami game
• He said he thinks all aspects of the team have improved
• He has tremendous respect for Mario Cristobal. Talked about working with him at Alabama
• Complimented Miami’s front seven. Talked about Miami DL Rueben Bain
• Napier thought Graham Mertz was sharp in Friday and Saturday practice before the team took off Sunday
• He has confidence in Florida’s offensive line. He thinks they’ve added a couple of portal players and developed a couple of high school players and they’ll be ready on Saturday
• Jason Marshall Jr. has taken a step forward as a leader. He’s become more vocal and his practice habits have improved. Napier jokes with him that this is his ‘contract’ year.
• Aidan Mizell brings a speed element to the team and he has progressed in his route running. He had an impressive week of practice.
• There’s a ton of competition along the line. Napier believes UF has four offensive tackles that they could play on a Saturday.

BILLY NAPIER: Before we get going here, congratulations to Lake Mary winning the Little League World Series. Hopefully some future Gators that may win a few College World Series.

I would tell you not only their performance on the field, but just it’s a class act organization, just observing those players, the coach, the coaching staff. Awesome to see that success in our state.

Excited about season tickets being sold out. I think it’s a big deal. Obviously this home opener is sold out. Our Gator fans continue to impress. We’re looking forward to the season.

We’re excited about our opportunity. Our opponent this week, we’re very familiar with. Obviously it’s in our state. We have familiarity. Their head coach and I worked together for four years in the past.

They have a very talented roster. You do your homework about the recruiting classes, and certainly the players they’ve added to their team in the portal. So this presents a great challenge, one that I would like to say we’ve been preparing for going all the way back to January.

This is an opportunity for our team to start telling their story relative to 2024, to put on display some of the intangibles that we’ve developed over time through a lot of hard work.

I do think in these types of games emotion will not be needed. Energy, we won’t be lacking for that. I think the key here is that we execute. I think execution will be key. I think it’s important that between now and the game that all of our decisions reflect kind of our vision for who we want to be, what type of outcome that we want Saturday.

I think it’s important, there’s one way to develop confidence, and I think that’s how we prepare. It’s really critical that we take advantage of all of our time here. We have some self-discipline throughout the week as we get ready for the opener.

What questions do he we have here?

Q. Where do you think this team has made its most progress?

BILL NAPIER: I think our football has improved. I think we have a formula that we kind of subscribe to. I think that we’ve improved taking care of the ball, creating takeaways. I think our fundamentals have improved. I think we have better awareness and knowledge relative to situational football.

I do think that we’ve gotten to a point where I think we can play fast. Our height, length and speed can be a factor in the game. Be aggressive in how we play.

I think we’re in good condition. I think our team has gotten into football condition. Hopefully that creates opportunities for us to finish, whether that’s finish plays, finish possessions or finish the game.

Ultimately I think all parts of our team we’ve improved.

Q. You mentioned your time with Mario. What was he like as a colleague?

BILL NAPIER: I had tremendous respect. Very passionate. I think he took pride, tremendous pride, in his role. I love his family. Just a great human being.

We were in the trenches on offense. We were in the trenches together in recruiting. There’s certainly a relationship there. It’s an added element to the game, to some degree.

Q. With Bain in the seven front…

BILL NAPIER: I think they’ve got a whole group of front seven players that can create issues for you. Bain, yeah, I think he’s just really unique. Loose-hipped, twitchy power. He’s instinctive. I think he played as a rookie, he was physically ready. Comes from a great program there at Central. Had a good fundamental base. He was able to get there midyear and be a factor as a freshman.

We anticipate him even being better in year two. That will certainly be one of the key matchups of the game, to go along with several other players up front.

Q. Cam Ward, what do you see on film? His story, how inspirational is that?

BILL NAPIER: I like I’ve been watching Cam Ward forever (smiling).

No, I think he’s obviously been very productive. You look at the yards, the touchdowns, the completion percentage, multiple stops. I do think that his ability to extend the play is a part of the game, will be a key factor in the game.

But he’s got arm talent. They’ve got a great group of skill, an incredible group of linemen to protect. The tight end group has athleticism and size. They have a really good surrounding cast to go along with a guy who is a very accomplished quarterback.

Heck, even as a transfer, they got him picked to be the pre-season player of the year in the ACC. Obviously highly regarded.

Q. When you look back over your career, home openers, knowing what your team can do, the confidence level, have you been surprised after the games how your team played either positively or negatively? What is your confidence in this team?

BILL NAPIER: I think experience matters in openers. I think if you’ve got a crew that lacks experience, sitting there in the locker room, this is their first opportunity and time, I think sometimes that may not bode well.

We’ve got a veteran group for the most part. We’re playing at home, which will be a comfort level there. But yeah, I think you try to keep the staff, you have more time to prepare, so making sure that it’s simple enough so that your guys can go play with confidence and play fast, communicate well, and try to eliminate some of those errors. I think you can have a little bit too much offense and defense and special teams in the plan, if you’re not careful.

Q. The sense of urgency in Graham in fall camp going into year two…

BILL NAPIER: He had a couple really impressive practices before we took a break Sunday. I thought he was really sharp Friday, Saturday, all throughout practice. You can sense, he came back for a reason. He’s excited about this opportunity.

Q. Last time we spoke to you, you mentioned some competition still on the offensive line. Where do things stand in that unit and how have they progressed?

BILL NAPIER: I still have confidence in that group. I think it’s a group where there’s competition, there’s depth. I think a lot of those, the combination of players that you’ll see, will reflect what we observe I think throughout each week.

Yeah, I think we’ve added a couple portal players, and I think we’ve developed some of the high school players that were on our team. We’re looking forward to that group playing well Saturday.

Q. You mentioned earlier about self-discipline. How is that translated into getting your team focused and ready? Are you seeing the focus that hasn’t been there in the past?

BILL NAPIER: Yeah, I think the key is the routine, right? I think you get into the season, you only have a certain amount of time, right? How you use your time Saturday to Sunday, with an opener you have a little bit of a trial run, we’ve been through a couple practices, but you want to get them in a little bit of a rhythm that they can repeat each week.

Let’s not forget, these guys are taking 12 to 15 credits on campus, too. The students are back. They’ve got a lot on their plate. I think that’s where we’ve tried to talk about the importance of having self-discipline. What you do with your time, your commitment to sleep, hydration, nutrition, your film study routine. We try to map that out for the players. It’s one of the things we’ve done over the last week to get them ready.

Q. What have you seen out of Jason Marshall and how much more of a vocal leader is he?

BILL NAPIER: I think Jason has taken a step forward as a leader. I’m proud of him. I think he’s been more vocal. I think his practice habits have improved. I think Coach Harris has been good for Jason. I also joke with him all the time, it’s a contract year for him (smiling).

He’s back. I think he came back for a reason, not only to leave a better legacy at UF, but to increase value at the same time.

Q. What do these new coaching hires do for fall camp that you didn’t see in the past?

BILL NAPIER: I think it’s even more than fall camp, just starting from the beginning. I think we’ve improved as a result of those. I think as a leader, you quickly realize, regardless of what level football, it’s critical that you surround yourself with capable people, competent people that have character. I think this group has made a difference.

I think we’ll prove that this fall.

Q. You do a good job of teaching your teams about the history. Who did you bring in to teach on Miami? How did that go?

BILL NAPIER: Nothing to talk publicly about (smiling).

I mean, ultimately for me, we understand. I think that’s one of the things about this group of players, is that I think they’ve got pretty good awareness. I think they’ve got some experience and they understand the magnitude of the game, not only just for the season as a whole, but also it being an in-state opponent.

Look, our opponent this week is highly regarded. They’re ranked in both polls. They’ve got several all-American, all-conference players. I think ultimately they’re picked to make the playoffs. They’re picked to win their conference, right?

I don’t think we’re lacking in regards to respect for the opponent.

Q. We saw on the Georgia Tech game, Haynes King was doing this all game with the helmet communication. That was in a neutral site. How much do you expect the Swamp to impact Cam?

BILL NAPIER: Yeah, look, I mean, Gator Nation is going to be on full display Saturday. Look, we’re not taking on this challenge just as a team. We’re going to have 93,000 of our dearest friends out there, right?

It’s critical. We talk about as a football team we want to create a nightmare for the opponent. This is one of the most iconic venues in all of sport. I would anticipate it will be pretty special in their Saturday.

Q. How is the running back situation shaping up?

BILL NAPIER: Good, yeah. We got a good group. I think you’ll see several of those guys throughout the season. Right now there’s a ton of competition.

Q. So much emphasis has been placed on this game as a tone setter for the whole season. Do you think maybe too much? Is it tough keeping it in perspective?

BILL NAPIER: Well, you see a little bit of that after week zero. I think they all matter. We’re playing in a different era of college football, right? As you get into the meat of the schedule, dependent on your status, I think you’re alive for a lot longer maybe than you were in the past relative to the playoff.

I think there’s a little bit of an NFL feel to it in regards to keep playing, stand up and fight one more round. You got to continue to try to be at your best each week, knowing that we have a schedule that we could play ourselves right into the middle of that thing.

I think it’s a little bit different era in that regard. I think in the old model maybe you would say that.

Q. How has Aidan Mizell progressed?

BILL NAPIER: I’ve been very impressed with Aidan. I think he’s one of the players that probably improved the most from year one to year two. In particular, just the skill level, the route running, the releases, the top of the route, the detail there. Then the hands, his ball skills. He’s made some very impressive, challenging catches the last couple days.

I think he brings a speed element to our team that we need. We’re hopeful that he can make an impact.

Q. The speed element, how much better equipped do you feel you are in that regard?

BILL NAPIER: Yeah, I think our team speed has increased. I think we’ve improved the roster in that regard. Also I think our off-season program has proved to be beneficial in that regard.

It’s time for us to go play. I mean, I’m excited to watch this group play. I think the key is that we channel the urgency that we feel, right? I think you start watching a handful of games this past weekend, it becomes real to the players.

I think execution will fuel the outcome of the emotion we want. We have to make disciplines, we have to make decisions that reflect our vision, then we need to have self-discipline in how we approach the week.

I think good preparation breeds confidence. You want to have a confident team in the opener. Ultimately if we do the work the right way this week, we have a chance to do that.

Q. Right tackle, any separation there?

BILL NAPIER: I think we have a ton of competition. I mean, I think there’s very few on our team. I’ve got confidence. There’s four tackles on our team that I think we could put out there and play in a game right now.

Got to remember that Austin and Kam were both out in spring, so Devin and Brandon played the majority of the time. They’re very familiar with the offense and have had a ton of reps. I think those two additions have proved to be beneficial.

Then you get a healthy Barber, healthy Waites. Then the two freshmen are going to be good players with time, Caden and Fletcher.

Q. Do you go into an opener trying to play as many guys as you can, all the backups in, to see what they do?

BILL NAPIER: We’re going to try to win the game (smiling).

But yeah, I mean, I think you got to the play the long game a little bit. I think especially if you have rookie players who you know have the physical ability that maybe just need to get their feet wet, maybe their role increases as the season goes if they prove that they can handle it. I think we have some of that on our team.

I mean, it’s critical. Teams continue to get better throughout the season if you do it right, individual players get better. This team has competitive depth, right? You’re going to see each week there may be slight changes in the depth that we play one to one, two to one, three to one, what role do they have on special teams, which is a huge part of the game. It’s one of the values of having a veteran team, there’s more competition and there’s more competitive depth.

I think that will prove to be beneficial for the Gators.

Q. How does DJ fit into what you’re talking about?

BILL NAPIER: Yeah, I think DJ is in that category. DJ, as he gains more experience, I think all the things that we do will mean more to him. I think it’s one thing to sit around and talk about it. It’s another thing to experience it. You kind of frame your preparation a little bit different going forward.

All the things that young players go through, he’s in the middle of that.

Q. Did you realize this is the start of your 20th college football season as a coach?

BILL NAPIER: 20 years.

Q. Did you know that?

BILL NAPIER: I did.

Q. You talked about the story of this team. What is the story of Billy Napier? Can you put in perspective what this season means to you?

BILL NAPIER: I mean, look, I’m going to coach until I can’t coach anymore, right? I’m 20 into hopefully a couple more rounds.

For me, it’s about our players, it’s about this staff. That’s the cool thing about football. I can remember growing up as the son of a high school coach. When the season’s over and the playoffs are finished, the state champion holds the trophy up, we’re back to zero and zero. There’s a new team in the weight room, on the practice field. Then you have the same ambition and the same goals, right?

The gratitude of coaching is taking that group of people and trying to get the most out of ’em, right? This year’s no different than any year in the past.

This game is the start of the story of the 2024 Gators.

Q. Is this game a little weightier in some ways?

BILL NAPIER: Yeah, I think you feel that way obviously the way you’re asking that question (smiling).

Q. I wonder what you think about it.

BILL NAPIER: Look, at this place, they all matter. There’s no question about it. I’d like to think that we take tremendous pride in representing the place. It doesn’t matter who you play. I think there’s got to be some type of internal standard relative to how you represent. Your a steward of your opportunities, right?

I think we’ve got a great group of young men and a staff that’s worked hard, and we’re excited about representing the University of Florida this year.

Thank y’all.

GRAHAM MERTZ

Highlights

• The offseason was attention to detail
• The team doesn’t buy into the five game losing streak or negative preseason predictions, they are trying to prove each other right
• Mertz feels like he owes Florida, Billy Napier, everything
• Players have gained speed across the board
• Aidan Mizell has combined speed with being able to finish plays

HE MODERATOR: We can start.

Q. How excited are you to begin this season?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I can’t wait. I can’t wait. I mean, anytime you get to play that first game, all that pregame anticipation, you put in all the work for that. So definitely excited.

Q. What does it mean have the synergy of year two with Coach Napier as the play-caller, how can that impact the offense?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I think especially you think about a first game of the season, you have a general idea of what the team’s going to do. Everybody does work in the off-season, prep different things, tweak things. To be able to have that in our toolbox from last year, knowing how to react to things during games, prep for that, I think that’s going to be big.

Going into a game, it’s the first game of the year, like I just said, but going back and having that last year, all that experience of how to prep for a game, how to prepare with the guys, is big-time, so…

Q. In what ways are you better than when we last saw year?

GRAHAM MERTZ: I have a healed collarbone (smiling).

Q. What will we see that we weren’t seeing last year?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I mean, I think we’ve been harping on the whole off-season the attention to detail, the execution in the crucial moments. I mean, we all know what happened last year and everything that went into it. It was a lot of situational football, small decisions, little tweaks, protections, just getting the protection check.

I want to go out there and put a complete offensive, well-executed game together.

Q. When you look back at your own journey to where you are now, talk about the journey itself, how much more confident you are?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I mean, it is a wild journey. I mean, I think back to prepping for my first game ever. I was traveling. I was redshirting. We played at the Buck Stadium, played USF. I mean, that was a while ago, man. That was a while ago, 2019.

But it’s been a great journey. I’m thankful for every step along the way. Every step has taught me something through ups, through downs, wins, losses, good, bad.

Yeah, I mean, I think for me, I don’t feel any pressure in my day-to-day life because I’ve seen so many different things, I’ve experienced things, I’ve learned from it.

That’s what I try to tell guys all the time. Look, if you’re not happy with where you’re at right now, whether it’s the depth chart, if you’re banged up, how you can always take a step back and look at the big picture and learn from it. If you don’t learn, you’re going to get swept under the rug.

I think the biggest thing I learned is, Look, regardless of what you’re going through, I don’t let my emotions dictate my actions ever. I let the facts dictate my actions no matter what. I think that’s one thing that’s allowed me to be steady through it, grow through it, learn through it. That’s what I tell all the guys.

Q. What do you like about this offense when you think about its potential, what it does better than a year ago?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I love it all. I mean, I think that up front, I love the guys we got up there. They’ve done a great job this off-season. Really changed their bodies with Coach Miles in that weight room. You see it translate to the field.

I think about all the skill we have, young skill, guys that can step in and make plays right away. Honestly, I love this running back room. I think top to bottom, those guys can go. I think all in all, I mean, I love the offense. I’m excited for us to go out there and play because I’ve seen a lot through all the scrimmages, the practices, off-season work. I know they’re fired up, too.

Q. What is the challenge of Miami’s front seven?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, for me it’s, like, I played a lot of teams that have a lot of really talented front sevens, secondaries. For me I try to look at more the why behind what they’re doing. I would dive into a lot of that. Say a team plays a lot of man, why do they play a lot of man? Why do they play zone? Learning the why being called on defense, not just the players.

They got guys up front. Their linebackers are really solid. Everything kind of runs through the linebacker. He’s a great player. He was 51 last year, he’ll be 1 this year. Still don’t know his name (smiling).

I think the thing with them is they’re very talented and they trust their guys. It will be a fun defense to play.

Q. Going out there with in-helmet communication, does that elevate anything for you on the field?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I mean, I think what I mentioned earlier about situational football and knowing what’s going on, the why behind what calls are being called. Coach can be like, This is a two-down call before he calls the play. Little stuff like that. Knowing the reason why we’re calling plays and what the situation is.

I think it’s going to be really critical, you’ll see it at the end of games, a lot more clean football being played in those situations.

Q. When you look at this team, five-game losing streak to end last year, Vegas doesn’t think highly of you, you’re picked 12th in the SEC. Does any of that fuel you guys?

GRAHAM MERTZ: No, no. I mean, like I said, I’ve said it plenty of times, we live by it. We’re here to prove each other right. We know what we put on tape last year, our reputation was we were 5-7. That doesn’t mean anything going into this year. It’s up to us to make the choice of how do we want to write our story.

I think some people are motivated by external things and stuff like that, but I’ve never been that kind of person. I’m motivated by my people, everybody in this building.

Yeah, not really. Sorry about that answer (smiling).

Q. You said you have a good idea of what this team is going to be. What do you anticipate this team being?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I got a great vision of what I want it to be. I think like coach says all the time, we want to be a team of integrity that plays tough, that loves each other, that is dependable on each other. When you turn on the tape, that’s what I want to see. I want to see guys flying around, making plays, competing their butts off to go win.

Q. Coach said you had a good last week of camp. How is that in terms of big plays?

GRAHAM MERTZ: As far as just…

Q. Long-pass plays, big plays.

GRAHAM MERTZ: You love the deep ball, don’t you (laughter)?

Yeah, I mean, I think we have done a great job through camp. Like I said before, it comes down to everybody sees the deep ball, but what did you do to get there, make the right protection check, Mike to Sam, scanning back to four weak, get four weak if he comes, we’re sliding this way, we got to make the play down the field. It’s my job to give them a shot to go make a play, it’s their job to make the play.

I think that’s one thing the guys are excited for. We want to be explosive. We weren’t as explosive as we wanted last year. I like the deep ball, too (smiling).

Q. You play for each other, have this bond. Do you play for the coach, Billy?

GRAHAM MERTZ: I play for everybody in here. I play for those two back there.

Q. He’s been under some fire, a big season for him, for this program. Does that resonate with you on any level?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I mean, he gave me a chance. I took the chance. I think ever since the day I stepped foot on campus, he’s done everything he can to help me grow and help me develop.

I’ve said it before, I feel like I owe this place everything, I feel like I owe him everything. That’s for the rest of my life. I wake up every day, it’s everybody in the building. Everybody’s unique, but they all matter.

Q. How important is it to have guys like DK that came from Wisconsin?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Big-time. My golfing buddy, Scramble partner. No, not anymore.

It’s been big. I think the transfer guys we brought in, the older guys, you think about Joey, Asa, Trikweze, Chim, all these guys that went to another program, they grew up at another program. That’s kind of all they knew. Then they come here, we kind of mesh everything together.

Chim and I had the Wisconsin experience together. We can share things like in the off-season this situation happened, how did we handle that at Wisconsin, stuff like that where you can bring in different viewpoints.

It’s been great. Older guys with leadership that make plays, push the standard every day, that’s all you can ask for.

Q. Sounds like there’s a potential for a lot more offensive targets, a number of guys capable of catching the ball.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I mean, you want everybody to touch the rock. You want to make the defense cover every blade of grass on the field. We got a lot of guys that can cover a lot of grass. That’s fun, too. A lot of targets. A lot of guys that are hungry, ready to make plays. They’re excited.

Q. How do you change your body? You look like you have.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Appreciate that (smiling). I look big?

Q. Clearing 315.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Close, 295 or something like that. Not that big (smiling).

Q. How is that going to translate for you? You talk about the offensive line.

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I mean, I’m going to answer the more specific question.

I don’t know if Coach Miles or Coach Napier have talked about it, but the total numbers of how guys have changed their bodies, with the amount of speed that guys have gained through that, has been insane.

For me personally, you’re in your sixth year of college football, look, my max squat for the past four years has been this. You kind of feel like you almost hit that landmark. For me, it was cool because I saw myself getting stronger in every category, getting faster, getting a little more lean.

Yeah, I feel great right now. I appreciate that (smiling).

Q. How does it translate? Put more zip on the ball, durable, quicker in the pocket?

GRAHAM MERTZ: It translates to everything.

Q. All of the above?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Better athlete, better football player. You’ve seen that across the board with everybody.

Q. How have you seen Aidan improve?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Dude, Aidan, when he first came in here, he was known as the burner, the fast guy. He was always a little bit smaller than everybody. The biggest thing with Aidan, he’s combined his speed with finishing the play. If it’s a contested catch, he’s going to go make the catch. You can see him, like I said, guys putting on weight, being a little bit stronger. He’s stronger, finishing those plays. He’s done a fantastic job.

Q. When you look at where you were last year, how instinctive is the offense now compared to where you were?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Very. Very. I mean, I think the biggest thing, I’d say this to any quarterback, learn the why behind the plays, not just the plays. Talk to DJ about, all the guys in that room. Really any quarterback I ever talk to, if I’m back home in Kansas City, know why the coach is calling it, not just the play. That’s where I’ve grown. Now I know what to expect, I know what checks are coming based on the weaknesses of the play, how to attack the weakness of the defense every play.

Q. When you see something now that may have last year been a little bit like, Uh-oh, now it’s you know exactly what you’re going to do?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah.

Q. Curious about your thoughts on the expanded College Football Playoff, maybe one loss isn’t going to kill the chance?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, I think it’s going to be awesome. I mean, you think about any of the past years, the teams are right on the edge. A really good team that was right on the edge not making it.

I think this year having that, knowing it’s going to take the entire year to get there for every single team, it’s going to make it more competitive during the season. Obviously, a lot more competitive. I think it’s a great idea.

Q. Do you ever thinking the résumé Florida can have, learning along the way, can’t afford any hiccups, you can recover and get there?

GRAHAM MERTZ: I don’t want to afford any hiccups (smiling).

I think you go into the year, you’re prepping. I’ve said it plenty of times: If you’re a competitor, you want to win. I want to win every game. I think every Florida fan wants to win every game. That’s the mindset I’m going to have, that we’re going to have, yeah.

Q. Obviously you have played in the Swamp. The Miami-Florida rivalry takes it to another level. How are you making sure your guys stay calm, cool and collected?

GRAHAM MERTZ: Yeah, that’s a great question. I think you play this game for these experiences. You play ’em for the big game, the big one at home, the big away one.

I think back to any game I’ve played that’s a big game, it all comes down to what team is going to execute. You can go in there with all the emotion, but that’s not going to go out there and make you execute. If you go in there with the mindset that you’re going to execute, that leads to emotion.

Coach has talked a lot about, We go out and execute, that place is going to be rocking. If we don’t execute, it’s not going to be rocking.

I think being able to simplify it in your mind. I got a job I got to go do. My team is depending on me to go do it. That will lead to all the emotion and excitement and the result we want.

Q. Have you learned anything about the Florida-Miami rivalry?

GRAHAM MERTZ: They don’t like each other? Florida and Miami don’t like each other (smiling)?

I think the first week I got down here I saw a Miami fan and a Florida fan getting into it on Twitter. Really into it.

Q. Are you aware of this…

GRAHAM MERTZ: Last time they were here was 2008?

Q. Yes.

GRAHAM MERTZ: It will be fun.

JASON MARSHALL JR.

Highlights

• Marshall Jr. said he grew up watching Miami
• At the end of the day UF and UM don’t like one another
• He beleives the defensive has improved a lot. What stands out is experience and brotherhood
• Just to show you how few turnovers UF forced last year, Marshall didn’t know about the turnover baton

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How significant is this game to you, being a Miami guy?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I think it’s very significant. Blessed to have this opportunity. In my recruiting process, they were hot up there. Then just being from Miami, watching that team growing up, watching that organization, I feel like it’s good, so…

Q. What do you see from Cam Ward? Pretty good escape-ability…

JASON MARSHALL JR.: At the end of the day he’s a great player. Can’t discredit that. He does scramble a lot. DB has to stay stuck to the receivers. Hopefully we get help from our D-line. I feel like we are. Our D-line giving us pressure, connected to the receivers, I feel like we’ll have a good game.

Q. (Question about the crowd.)

JASON MARSHALL JR.: The crowd also plays a big part. That could mess up their communication. It’s also a big game for us, as well, so…

Q. Three new starters in the secondary, how is that communication coming together?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I think it’s good. We went through spring, fall camp. I feel like it’s time to show the communication, show all the work that we put in. We’ve been in meeting rooms together, watching film together. I feel like the communication is going to be good.

Q. What do you get a sense from other south Florida guys in terms of this game?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: It’s a pretty big game for them, as well, all of us being from close to that area. I’m pretty sure they got recruited from Miami as well. I’m pretty sure it’s a big game for them, as well.

Q. Restrepo, No. 7, their receiver, what do you see from him?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: Like I said, they’re all good players. Can’t discredit that. They’re going to give him the ball. It’s a matter of going out there and executing and eliminating that.

Q. Coach said he jokes with you about this being a contract year. Do you go in thinking the same thing, this is the year I’m going to prove I’m going to be a first-round pick?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: Like you said, this is a contract year (smiling). But at the end of the day just going out there and proving myself right, that I put in all the work, all the time to be in this spot, so… That’s pretty much the biggest thing.

Q. What have you liked about the transfers, like Asa coming into the new system that Will Harris has brought?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: Just the experience that he have. Also guys like DJ, Trikweze, the experience they have. They’ll help us.

Then also with Jordan, he’s still a young guy, but he played a lot last year. Just going out there and having that connection, being able to communicate at a high level, executing at the end of the day.

Q. How important was it to have Jordan Castell come back another year?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: It was very important. Like I said, he is a young guy, but he does have a lot of experience on his hands. He is a good player, so…

I’m excited to see what he does this year.

Q. What have you seen Graham that’s maybe a little different? How has he elevated his game?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I don’t know, man. He just been locked in. It’s crazy. I can’t catch a pick from him now (smiling). I mean, he just been locked in since the start of January to now fall camp. Been locked in.

Seeing a different Graham. So I’m excited.

Q. In terms of his performance, what are a thing or two you’ve seen that are better? Does he seem to be more comfortable?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: A lot more comfortable. I can say that, a lot more comfortable, especially in the offensive game plan. A lot more comfortable.

Q. Do you know a lot about this rivalry personally?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I don’t know that much. I do know about the Florida and Miami history. I just know a little bit of it. Not too much.

Q. Do you remember the ’08 game, anything beyond that?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I don’t. I don’t.

Q. Do you remember ’08?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I do. I do.

Q. What stood out when you watched that hour-long history of Florida-Miami?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I would say just the nastiness that both team have toward each other. Like, there’s hate there, you know? At the end of the day they don’t like each other. Yeah, so…

Q. That was the way it was back then when they were playing in the ’80s. Intense blood baths. Do you feel like you’re going to bring that level of emotion and animosity to this game?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I think so. The team is fired up right now. Now that we six, five days away, I’m fired up myself. It just brings out another type of energy when you know it’s game week, so…

Q. How are you feeling knowing that these teams battle for recruits every single year? Would you like to see this become a more consistent battle?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: Of course. Me being from Miami and coming here, it’s a consistent battle of getting recruits. I mean, I just want to show that Florida get their recruits from down there, as well.

Q. How do you think the defense has played in training camp?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I feel like the defense improved a lot. I’m excited for this year. I’m just at a loss for words, how much of a turnaround the defense has come from. I’m excited.

Q. What stands out the most?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: The experience we have, one. Then the brotherhood we have. Then just going out there and playing for each other.

Q. You guys have more takeaways in camp and scrimmages than previous years or even last year.

JASON MARSHALL JR.: Of course, yeah. Of course. I feel like Coach Harris, as far as like DB-wise, he’s emphasized the ball, going to get the ball. I know I said it before: If the ball is in the air, it’s ours, so…

Q. Your days at Palmetto, Florida and Miami were two of your top schools. What led to you choosing Florida over Miami?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I would say I chose Florida over Miami to kind of get away from Miami. I grew up down there. I spent the majority of my life down there. Just seeing a different environment. I felt like Florida was the best fit for that.

Q. Any Palmetto guys texting you, rival schools?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I talked to Brashard Smith. He transferred from there. He at SMU now. I talked to him a couple days ago. We was joking and stuff like that.

Q. Give you a scouting report?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: No, no (smiling).

Q. As far as the takeaways are concerned, what kind of confidence can that breed? How critical is that to get the crowd going?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: Like I say, emphasizing the ball. D-line getting pressure, getting pressure on the quarterback. DBs attacking the ball in the air. Just going after the ball. The ball is the biggest thing.

Q. Remember when Miami had the turnover chain?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: Yeah. That was crazy. Yeah, that was crazy.

Q. When you think back, three interceptions for a secondary with you prideful, talented guys, is that something that motivates you, we’re not doing that again?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: As far as like…

Q. Over a whole season, you only generated three interceptions. Is that something that fires you guys up?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I mean, of course. We emphasizing the ball, going to get the ball. We have this thing trying to get at least three turnovers or three picks, whatever the case may be, a practice. Implementing that into the season, you know. Hopefully we get three turnovers a game, so…

Q. The baton? Is that out?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: What’s that?

Q. When you celebrated turnovers with the baton.

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I don’t know that.

Q. On the sideline, the baton.

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I don’t know.

Q. How comfortable are you being a leader now, being a vocal guy?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I’m very, very confident. Having a lot of experience under my belt, I seen a lot, so just being able to (indiscernible) what I seen to some of the guys, just giving them some of the knowledge I had that I gained from some other coaches.

Just being able to give them knowledge about the game, about speed, things like that.

Q. When you look back at your freshman season, where do you think you’ve grown the most?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I’d say confidence, being more of a vocal leader. That’s probably two of the biggest things I try to work on at my time here. Being more confident, being more of a vocal leader.

At the end of the day, like I said, I have a lot of experience under my belt. If I’m not a vocal leader, I’m keeping it into my myself, what am I doing for the team?

Q. You’ve talked about how you went through some mental slumps, highs and lows. How do you feel mentally entering this season?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I feel very confident. I know I said this in a previous media interview. I feel like I got my confidence back. Just going through spring, fall camp, moving good, feeling good, my mental is good. Just having all of that back, I feel good.

Q. When you say ‘moving good’, I seem to recall you had leg issues. How are you feeling physically?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: I feel good. Kind of changed my eating habits. I think that’s what it was. Changed my eating habits. Stretching a lot more. Doing more like beneficial things for my body.

No, I feel much better physically eyes.

Q. What were you eating?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: Going to Chick-Fil-A every other day (smiling).

Q. What was your order?

JASON MARSHALL JR.: Probably the chicken sandwich, the meal. Nothing crazy. It stacks up when you go, like, three, four times a week.

Videos courtesy GatorVision. Transcripts courtesy ASAP.

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