The 5-foot-11, 218-pound Johnson is familiar with Napier's system. While Wright is coming off season-ending ankle surgery in the win over FSU, he is a talented runner and receiver when healthy. figures prominently into the plans, and true freshman Trevor Etienne is an intriguing newcomer from Jennings, La. Seldom-used Demarkcus Bowman (UCF) transferred after only one season in the program, leaving Nay'Quan Wright and Lorenzo Lingard as the most notable returners. The group lost production and experience with the departures of Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis. That is the lowest ranking nationally for any of the Gators' position groups. In his comprehensive annual preview magazine, Phil Steele ranks the Gators' running backs as the 49th-best group in the country. (Photo: Isabella Marley/UAA Communications) Running back Nay'Quan Wright rushed for 326 yards and caught 14 passes for 178 yards before a season-ending ankle injury late last season. One of the top prep kickers in the nation at Severna Park (Md.) High School, the door is open for Smack to win the job if his powerful right leg is accurate in camp. Howard's missed extra-point against Alabama proved costly, and the Gators have rebooted at the position with walk-on Adam Mihalek and true freshman Trey Smack. However, the kicking game faltered in 2021 as Jace Christmann and Chris Howard managed to make only 10 of 15 field goals and could not connect from deep. While the Gators have had their troubles over the past decade, kickers Caleb Sturgis, Eddy Pineiro and Evan McPherson stand among the best in school history. Ohio State transfer Jack Miller, redshirt freshman Jalen Kitna and freshman Max Brown provide depth at a position that lost last year's starter Emory Jones (Arizona State) and redshirt freshman Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (Syracuse). If Richardson passes and shows the kind of improvement most expect, the Gators are in good hands at quarterback. His first test is to prove he can stay healthy. Now, time for the disclaimer: Richardson has one career start and a history of injuries. If he blossoms into a star in Napier's first season, the Gators could be one of the country's surprise teams. Simply put, Richardson has enormous potential. He is athletic enough to run over or sprint around defenders. You don't have to be an NFL scout to appreciate third-year sophomore Anthony Richardson's physical gifts. 3 season opener at home against reigning Pac-12 champion Utah.įlorida's prospects at the game's most crucial position haven't been this promising since Tim Tebow wore No. Still, none could sustain the success achieved by Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer, the two most decorated coaches in school history.Īs Napier and his beefed-up support staff turn their attention to the field, here is a glimpse at five positions to watch over the next month as the Gators prepare for the Sept. The Gators had flashes of success under Will Muschamp, Jim McElwain and Dan Mullen over the last 11 seasons. Napier has spent the bulk of his time at Florida building the foundation of an organization that Gators fans desperately want to see rejoin the nation's elite programs consistently. Napier's introductory press conference was nearly eight months ago, and 240 days later, the Gators officially report for the start of preseason camp on Tuesday morning. "The key to me for young people, is that they know that you really care for them and that you're working hard to help them improve." - /8aVd52q0VU Coach Napier has done a great job so far, and we're just following along with the plan he has put in place." He's also big on discipline and accountability. "He pulled up to 'The Swamp' in a minivan, so I was like, 'this is my type of guy.' Very family-oriented, player-oriented guy," Miller said. Miller, a seasoned veteran entering his sixth season, took a mental note. Miller saw photos and video on social media of Napier and his family arriving outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Dec. Unless they tuned in to the Sun Belt Conference Championship Game the previous night, most Gators fans got their first glimpse of new head coach Billy Napier the same way linebacker Ventrell Miller did.
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