Billy Napier's Next Task: Roster Management
Updated: Dec 20, 2021
Before there was such a thing as the NCAA transfer portal complete with instant eligibility for a first-time transfer, the NCAA granting blanket eligibility immunity from anyone who played in 2020 and NIL deals that entice kids to leave their current school in search of one that can pay, roster management wasn’t all that difficult. Singularly, there are very few coaches incapable of handing these issues. Dealing with them all at once, particularly when you’ve only been on the job a little more than a week, and you’ve got an obstacle course that has to be navigated carefully.
That Billy Napier has shown that he has a plan and the resources to make them work in favor of the Florida Gators tells you something about the coach who was only introduced to us back on Sunday, December 5. In short order, he’s brought in a surprisingly strong albeit small early signing day recruiting class of nine. Now it’s time to deal with the portal and both the positives and negatives of today’s transient college football culture as he tries to piece together what his roster will look like after January 1 and which holes have to be filled either by recruits or transfers.
“I'm going to meet with each individual player starting Sunday,” Napier said Wednesday as he answered questions about the nine kids who signed their national letters of intent. “Certainly as we hire coaches and they get here, they can start working on that, but this big algorithm of roster management certainly is very fluid, and it changes each day.
“You know, it'll be one of the challenges because you inherit some situations at certain positions that you need to improve. We've got a lot of bright spots on the team, and a lot of it is to be determined. It's part of the transition period here, and we're going to make the best of it.”
As it stands on December 16, there are 71 on the roster but that doesn’t factor in players who will choose to leave after next Thursday’s Gasparilla Bowl game with UCF. Several seasoned roster analysts anticipate Napier could see another 7-10 players exit. That’s the bad news. The good news is that he can replace up to seven who transfer out after December 15 without them counting against the NCAA mandated 25-scholarship limit.
None of this has caught Napier by surprise. As he spoke Wednesday, it was evident that Napier has already crunched the numbers and has a contingency plan ready for whatever takes place.
“Certainly the transfer portal is a part of college football now, and certainly a lot different dynamic because they can go play immediately,” Napier said. “I think you're going to see this is just part of the game now, and certainly what we need to do is build a really good culture here where players want to be a part of our organization and play for the University of Florida, and hopefully we don't have to deal with those issues unless we're wanting to deal with them.
“But in the meantime, there's going to be some attrition. I think that's reality … That creates opportunity, and we'll go to work. It's another way to acquire a player much like NFL free agency. The problem is we don't have a salary cap and we don't have schedule parity, so it's a little bit different dynamic.”
It is indeed a different dynamic, but one that is manageable for a head coach who has both a plan in place and a qualified staff to make it all work out. Here is what the 2022 roster looks like as of December 16:
QUARTERBACKS (3)
Anthony Richardson (6-4, 235, SO) Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (6-2, 225, RFR) Jalen Kitna (6-4, 210, RFR)
Gone (1): Emory Jones (6-2, 211, Transfer)
Looking ahead: Jones is leaving after the bowl game and that will leave Anthony Richardson as the only QB who has taken snaps in real games. Richardson showed flashes of brilliance in 2021 when he threw for 529 yards and six TDs (5 INTs) and ran for 401 yards and three more TDs. He has a big arm, breakaway speed and a penchant for the dramatic but he was injured in high school, injured as a true freshman in 2020 and had a variety of injuries in 2021 including a knee that will keep him out of the Gasparilla Bowl. Napier won 33 games with dual threat Levi Lewis at QB so most expect that he will be looking for a pass first QB who has the mobility and instincts to make the RPO stuff work. Redshirt freshman Carlos Del Rio-Wilson showed in practice during the fall that he also has a strong arm and good instincts as a runner. Jalen Kitna has an outstanding arm, but he’s a pure pocket passer who reminds a lot of people of Kyle Trask with his accuracy. He could be the odd man out and headed for the transfer portal if Napier brings in dual threat transfer Cameron Ward (47 TDPs at Incarnate Word). Kitna’s stock could rise if the option from the portal is either Kedon Slovis (Southern Cal) or Jack Miller (Ohio State), who are more the pro-style talent although both are fairly mobile. The ideal quarterback room has five, but if Napier can land a high quality transfer, he may elect to save a scholarship for 2023 unless there is some attrition.
RUNNING BACKS (3) NayQuan Wright (5-9, 196, JR) Lorenzo Lingard (6-0, 203, RJR) Demarkcus Bowman (5-10, 193, SO)
Gone (2): Dameon Pierce (5-10, 215, Graduate); Malik Davis (5-10, 207, Graduate)
Looking ahead: When Nay’Quan Wright is in the game and the ball is in his hands, good things happen. He ran for 326 yards and a TD, plus caught 14 passes for 178 yards and another TD in a season that he only touched the ball 90 times. Wright was injured in the Florida State game and there has been very little indication how long it will take to rehab. Lorenzo Lingard and Demarkcus Bowman are former 5-star running backs who will get their chance to show what they can do in Napier’s offense. Both have breakaway speed and will be threats in the passing game, too. Neither one saw many carries in 2021 so they should both have fresh legs. Ideally, there will be five running backs, so look for Napier to sign a couple, perhaps one high school back and one from the portal.
WIDE RECEIVERS (7) Justin Shorter (6-5, 228, SR) Trent Whittemore (6-4, 211, RSO) Ja’Markis Weston (6-3, 215, RSO) Xzavier Henderson (6-3, 195, SO) Ja’Quavion Fraziars (6-3, 220, SO)
Marcus Burke (6-4, 187, RFR) Daejon Reynolds (6-2, 205, RFR) Gone (3): Jacob Copeland (6-0, 202, RJR, Transfer); Rick Wells (6-1, 200, Graduate); Jordan Pouncey (6-1, 208, Graduate)
Looking ahead: Realistically, the Gators barely had enough scholarship wide receivers last year when there were 10. With only seven on scholarship this is an area that needs an immediate infusion whether it’s high school, jucos or transfers from the portal. There is good speed but not that home run type like Alabama’s Jameson Williams who makes the safeties back off an extra 10 yards. Justin Shorter (38-496, 3 TDs) spent the entire 2021 season wide open but Florida’s quarterbacks missed way too many opportunities to get the ball to him. He’s a former 5-star recruit whose size and speed make him a very difficult matchup. When Trent Whittemore (16-188, 1 TD) is in the game, he is a threat to throw the ball (3-3 passing, 41 yards, 2 TDPs) on end around plays. Xzavier Henderson (25-272, 2 TDs) has been under-used for two years. It’s time for Ja’Markis Weston and Ja’Quavion Fraziars to live up to their talent. Marcus Burke caught two passes for 73 yards and had everyone wondering why he hadn’t been targeted more often. Daejon Reynolds is a strong, slot type receiver. The Gators need to bring in five receivers, particularly two with legitimate deep threat speed.
TIGHT ENDS (5)
Keon Zipperer (6-3, 242, JR) Jonathan Odom (6-5, 240, RFR) Gage Wilcox (6-4, 230, RFR) Nick Elksnis (6-6, 243, RFR) Signed: Tony Livingston (6-5, 225) Gone: Kemore Gamble (6-4, 243, Graduate)
Looking ahead: Zipperer, with 25 career receptions for 309 yards and three touchdowns, is the only tight end who has caught a pass. Elksnis drew rave reviews for his play last spring but never caught a pass and was redshirted in 2021. Both Zipperer and Elksnis are better known for their pass catching abilities. The tight end was never a primary target in Napier’s offenses at Louisiana, however, he might see a need to bring in a tight end whose size makes him an extra tackle.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (14) Richard Gouraige (6-5, 312, RJR)
Ethan White (6-5, 319, JR)
Kingsley Eguakun (6-4, 303, RSO)
Josh Braun (6-6, 342, SO) Michael Tarquin (6-5, 302, RSO) Riley Simonds (6-3, 303, RSO) Will Harrod (6-5, 325, RSO) Richie Leonard (6-2, 310, SO) Austin Barber (6-6, 312, RFR) Yousef Mugharbil (6-4, 318, RFR) Jake Slaughter (6-5, 303, RFR) * Kaleb Boateng (6-4, 285, RSO) * Transferred from Clemson, was not on scholarship in 2021 Signed (2): David Conner (6-5, 295); Christian Williams (6-4, 319) Gone (3): Jean Delance (6-5, 307, Graduate); Stewart Reese (6-6, 345, Graduate); Gerald Mincey (6-6, 320, Transferred to Tennessee)
Looking ahead: Expectations are that Napier will hire either Rob Sale (New York Giants) or Brent Key (Georgia Tech) as the new O-line coach. Whoever it is will have six experienced linemen – Gouraige, Braun, Eguakun, White, Tarquin and Leonard – and a lot of inexperience below them to work with. Gouraige could declare for the NFL after the bowl game, which would be a serious setback. However, it’s unlikely he will get anything more than a third-day grade so it would be smart on his part to return, especially if he can work with either Sale or Key, both of whom have good track records of getting the most out of their players. This is a spot to add two or three from the portal. There is a lot of talent and experience in the portal right now, so expect Napier to be active. This is also a position where we can probably expect some attrition.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (12) Griffin McDowell (6-4, 297, RJR) Gervon Dexter (6-6, 303, SO) Princely Umanmeielen (6-4, 260, SO) Jaelin Humphries (6-3, 328, RSO) Desmond Watson (6-5, 390, SO) Jalen Lee (6-2, 305, SO) Lamar Goods (6-2, 332, RFR) Justus Boone (6-4, 252, RFR)
Chris Thomas Jr. (6-5, 314, RFR) Tyreak Sapp (6-3, 251, RFR) Signed (2): Chris McClellan (6-3, 305); Jamari Lyons (6-4, 298) Gone (5): Antonio Valentino (6-3, 312, Graduate); Daquan Newkirk (6-2, 308, Graduate); Tyrone Truesdell (6-2, 326, GR); Zachary Carter (6-4, 285, Graduate); Dante Zanders (6-5, 291, Transfer) Looking ahead: There is a lot of size, but not a lot of experience at the tackles. Gervon Dexter has a world of potential but he’s never been consistent. Everybody marvels at Desmond Watson’s ability to move quickly for a man his size, but he’s got to lose several deck chairs off his Titanic-size body to be able to play every down. Jalen Lee played a lot last year and he will have to play more often. Princely Unmanmielen gained a lot of experience at end in 2021. Justus Boone and Tyreak Sapp have talent but no experience. They have to step it up. Chris McClellan wasn’t signed to sit. The Gators will probably go after two or three in the transfer portal, especially tackles. We might see some attrition here.
LINEBACKERS/EDGE (8) Brenton Cox Jr. (6-4, 253, RJR) David Reese (6-2, 230, RJR) Ty’Ron Hopper (6-2, 228, RSO) Diwun Black (6-3, 228, JR) Derek Wingo (6-1, 224, SO) Antuan Powell (6-2, 255, RFR) Chief Borders (6-4, 241, RFR) Scooby Williams (6-2, 230, RFR) Gone (6): Jeremiah Moon (6-5, 245, Graduate); * Amari Burney (6-2, 239, Graduate); Lacedrick Brunson (6-2, 229, Graduate); * Ventrell Miller (6-1, 226, Graduate); Mohamoud Diabate (6-3, 227, Transfer); Lloyd Summerall III (6-5, 247, Transfer); Khris Bogle (6-4, 240, transfer to Michigan State) * Can return due to 2020 COVID rule Looking ahead: With Khris Bogle transferring to Michigan State and both Mohamoud Diabate and Lloyd Summerall III in the portal, this is a position that is dangerously thin. It is being whispered that Ventrell Miller may take advantage of the COVID rule and return for 2022 to enhance his draft status. Brenton Cox Jr. returning is a huge boost. He played hurt all of 2021. With a healthy 2022, he could move way up in the draft evaluations. Ty’Ron Hopper played well in the final month of the season so he factors as an inside linebacker, but who is going to play alongside? Derek Wingo, Scooby Williams and Diwun Black will all get their shot to prove they’re capable in the spring. Chief Borders may grow into a D-lineman. Keep an eye on Antuwan Powell coming off the edge. The Gators need to recruit a couple of high school linebackers and pick up at least two from the portal to be at a minimum safe number of 12.
SECONDARY (15) Jadarrius Perkins (6-1, 182, JR) Jaydon Hill (6-0, 182, RSO) Avery Helm (6-1, 180, SO) Jason Marshall Jr. (6-0, 191, SO) Rashad Torrence II (6-0, 205, SO) Tre’Vez Johnson (5-11, 192, SO) Kamar Wilcoxson (6-1, 200, SO) Donovan McMillon (6-1, 197, SO) Mordecai McDaniel (6-1, 191, SO)
Fenley Graham Jr. (5-9, 171, SO) Ethan Pouncey (6-1, 175, SO)
Jordan Young (6-0, 185, RFR) Corey Collier Jr. (6-1, 180, RFR) Signed: Kamari Wilson (6-0, 201); Devin Moore (6-3, 190) Gone (2): * Trey Dean III (6-3, 206, GR); **Kaiir Elam (6-2, 196, NFL)
* Can return due to 2020 COVID rule
** Hasn’t hired an agent yet, so he can return Looking ahead: Co-defensive coordinator Patrick Toney (safeties) and Corey Raymond (cornerbacks) inherit a talented, experienced group that was enhanced when 5-star safety Kamari Wilson and 4-star corner Devin Moore signed. The Gators can go three-deep in the secondary with players who were at least 4-star signees. When spring football begins, the starting secondary will probably have Avery Helm and Jason Marshall Jr. at the corners with Rashad Torrence and either Tre’Vez Johnson or Donovan McMillon at the safeties. This unit will get a real boost when Jaydon Hill and Kamar Wilcoxson are 100 percent healthy. Both were expected to have major roles in 2021 but both suffered knee injuries in the preseason. As deep as the Gators are, this might be an area from which we could see some attrition prior to January. With the better coaching that is expected, Florida’s secondary could rank among the best in the SEC and perhaps the entire country in 2022.
SPECIAL TEAMS (4) Marco Ortiz (6-4, 233, RJR) Jeremy Crawshaw (6-4, 193, SO) Rocco Underwood (6-3, 229, RFR) Signed (1): Trey Smack (6-1, 200)
Looking ahead: This should be one of the more solid positions on the team with a veteran long snapper (Ortiz) and All-SEC freshman punter Jeremy Crawshaw, who averaged 44 yards per kick last year. Smack, the No. 3-ranked kicker in the 2022 recruiting class, has range to 60 yards on field goals, regularly sticks the ball in the end zone on kickoffs and will be the backup punter.
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