[Mark Wheeler]

Check back for updates from Saturday’s first spring practice.

We’ll be able to see about 15 minutes of practice and then the post practice media opportunity.

[Mark Wheeler]

#Gators QB Graham Mertz (15) to WR Xzavier Henderson (3)@InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/KZi7apslrp

— Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) March 4, 2023

[Mark Wheeler]

#Gators QB Graham Mertz (15) to RB Cameron Carroll @InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/8t7kb5beHB

— Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) March 4, 2023

[Mark Wheeler]

@CoachAArmstrong working with the safeties @InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/lgz5Pm1cJb

— Cam Parker (@camparker25) March 4, 2023

[Mark Wheeler]

Sharif Denson getting work @InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/K9fbvnKLLg

— Cam Parker (@camparker25) March 4, 2023

[Mark Wheeler]

#Gators QB Jack Miller (10) to WR Ricky Pearsall (1)@InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/rE7FanDko8

— Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) March 4, 2023

[Mark Wheeler]

@thereal_kam_ (24) working with @kelby_collins (11)

To say the freshmen are huge would be an understatement@InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/IrV7pn3cYw

— Cam Parker (@camparker25) March 4, 2023

[Mark Wheeler]

#Gators head coach Billy Napier working with QB Jack Miller & RB Trevor Etienne on day 1 of Spring camp@InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/rNighapw6S

— Weiss (@ZackaryWeiss_) March 4, 2023

[Cam Parker]

Some quick observations. These players were in black jerseys

2 Montrell Johnson
5 Kamari Wilson
13 Aaron Gates
25 Ethan Pouncey
32 Cahron Rackley
52 David Conner
53 Bryce Lovett
80 Zak Sedaros

Wilson was participating in drills

[Cam Parker]

Also- David Doeker was working with the receivers today

Looked like Justin Posthuma was working with TE today (Quality control – TE) but it was a bit hard to tell.

[Cam Parker]

Edit: Russ Callaway was working with the tight ends today.Current title is Defensive Intern.

[Cam Parker]

Zack Weiss took the offense while I took the defense.

Despite being in a black jersey, Kamari Wilson took a lot of the first reps in drills.

It also appears Jaydon Hill has made a switch from boundary corner to STAR.

STARs are Jadarrius Perkins, Sharif Denson and Jaydon Hill.

[Cam Parker]

LBs and Safeties worked together closely on lining up, strength calls and walking through blitzes and assignments.

Looked like Teradja Mitchell was picking things up quickly while Mannie Nunnery needed clarification on a couple things.

[Cam Parker]

Back to safeties- Ja’Markis Weston has indeed made a position change.

Definitely not as fluid as the others in the group, but it’s only Day 1. Gonna take some time to adjust. He is definitely the tallest and longest in the group.

DL were split up with the OLB. Interior linemen were with Spencer, OLB and DE worked together on first steps and shedding blocks.

To say the freshmen (Kamran James, Kelby Collins specifically) are massive would be an understatement. Two of the largest guys on the field. You’d think they were seniors with their size.

Didn’t get to see much corners as they were on the opposite side of the field, but everyone was healthy outside of Ethan Pouncey, who was off to the side stretching with the other black jerseys.

[Zackary Weiss]

On the offensive side of the field, I saw Graham Mertz, Jack Miller, freshman Parker Leise and redshirt freshman Max Brown throwing passes.

[Zackary Weiss]

WRs they were throwing to: Ricky Pearsall, Xzavier Henderson, Ja’Quavion Fraziers, Caleb Douglas, redshirt sophomore Taylor Spierto, Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman, freshman Aiden Mizell, freshman Andy Jean and redshirt freshman Alex Gonzalez.

[Zackary Weiss]

RBs they were working with were Trevor Etienne, transfer Cameron Carroll and freshman Treyaun Webb. Montrell Johnson was off stretching during the time we (media) were allowed out there.

[Zackary Weiss]

TEs they were throwing to were Dante Zanders, Keon Zipperer, freshman Tony Livingston, redshirt freshman Andrew Savaiinaea, redshirt freshman Arlis Boardingham, redshirt freshman Scott Isacks III and redshirt freshman Hayden Hansen. No sign of Jonathan Odom.

[Zackary Weiss]

First thing that stuck out to me was when and to whom Mertz and Miller were throwing passes. Take this how you want to: but, neither seemed to be getting more action than the other — both throwing passes to guys like Pearsall and Henderson just as much as they were to the freshman. To me, I’m not so certain Mertz is already locked into the QB1 spot as most seem to be. Napier, at least for day 1, seemed to be feeling the two out and giving them equal reps.

[Zackary Weiss]

Next thing that stuck out to me was the sheer size of some marquee guys. Namely, Ricky Pearsall and Trevor Etienne. Both guys gained weight this offseason and look ready to go. Especially pearsal who just carries himself like a #1 in the pass-catching unit.

[Zackary Weiss]

Napier had Mertz and Miller mostly working on short out-routes and screen passes. Which isn’t all that surprising considering the offense we know he wants to run. Only deep throws I really saw were a few to the tight ends.

[Zackary Weiss]

Another thing I’be got to mention is freshman WR Andy Jean’s frame. He does not look his age. There was some thought going in, at least from me, that he would be the most game-ready freshman right away — and, well, he looked the part today. It’ll be interesting to see how his reps fluctuate over the next few weeks.

[Zackary Weiss]

Last thing to note is that — while, yes, Montrell wasn’t there with them — Cam Carroll was getting a lot of reps and looked good doing them. Mertz was throwing some short slants to him. It’ll be tough to find room behind Johnson and Etienne, but he’s got skill.

[Cam Parker]

Will add to this – Cam Carroll is massive. Another big body back in the room.

[Mark Wheeler]

@Kamariwilson1 tracking down a pass like a center fielder. Wearing a black jersey but was a participant in drills @InsideTheGators pic.twitter.com/eisXOWC0z8

— Cam Parker (@camparker25) March 4, 2023

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