Buddy Martin Blog. Now It’s Time To Answer The Butch Cassidy/Sundance Kid Question. Who Are They?

How many of them can contribute significantly? I’ve got my list. OK, it’s only at about 65 percent, but at least it’s a start.

As we are about to be introduced to Billy Napier’s 2022 Florida Gators in the upcoming Orange & Blue Game next week, one common question reigns supreme: Like Butch asked Sundance in their shootout, “Who are these guys?”

The stage is set for the unveiling at “The Swamp.” Coming out of their “Identity” phase and into simulated game-like conditions, Napier is counting noses, making a list, and checking it four or five times in what now becomes the task of Roster Building. This is the tough part:

Where are the players going to come from? Three places: The current 98-man squad, minus those who will dive into the transfer portal, as Emory Jones has already done. Arrival of the next group of 2022 commits. And, most of all, the players who Napier will add from the transfer portal. As always, I like to read from football scripture, “The Transfer Portal Taketh Away; The Transfer Portal giveth.”

Billy made it a point to say recently he’s going shopping. And don’t kid yourself, Napier and his coaches already have their Portal Wish list. I’m just guessing here, but they’re no doubt scouring the list for offensive and defensive linemen, tight ends and maybe a wide receiver.

At this point the strength of their team appears to be quarterback, running back, linebacker and secondary.

Until that final roster is set for the fall and they’re counting it down for the opener with Utah on Sept. 3, we won’t have a feel of what to expect. Even then, the Utes will likely be favored by touchdown or more.

A positive is the vibe people seem to feel from the new fortified coaching staff. It’s beginning to look and sound like football may be fun again. Of course, only if they can win. And it’s way too early to start making predictions. But come along with me and let’s build a roster.

First, the players on the current squad. How many of them can contribute significantly? I’ve got my list. OK, it’s only at about 65 percent, but at least it’s a start. Billy has more, but he also has a slight advantage over me. He’s actually seen his players compete. And he knows what he’s looking at -- and looking for.

I’m just trying to help a little here. My little joke is that I might even have a clue of what I’m talking about. Undeterred by lack of knowledge, however, I did a deep dive into my shallow pond. Confident that even a blind sheep can find an acorn – or something like that.

After seeing the players on the hoof for all of about 15 minutes, listening to (or interviewing) about a dozen of them, talking to coaches, reading 25-30 stories about practice and talking to fellow journalists almost nightly, I have now done Part 1 of my evaluation.

I now understand what Napier meant when he sort of sounded the alarm last week: “We need players!” So I’m dropping knowledge with the releasing these early results of my “Circles And Checks” List.

I’ve gone through the roster of current players and feel I can identify about a dozen of them who can become major contributors and be difference-makers, based on past experience and future projections. This is my “Circle List,” in no particular order except their number:

Safety Trey Dean, Outside Linebacker Brenton Cox, Inside Linebacker Amari Burney, Cornerback Jason Marshall, Wide Receiver Justin Shorter, Running Back Nay’ Quann Wright, Defensive Lineman Gervon Dexter, Wide Receiver Trent Whittemore, Quarterback Anthony Richardson, Linebacker Ventrell Miller, Offensive Lineman Richard Gouraige. That’s 12. I may be able to ID another six or seven soon from the following list or “Checks” below – players expected to perform well, but still a work in progress.

Here they are: Wide Receiver Ja Quan Fraziars, Running Back Montrell Johnson, Wide Receiver Xzavier Henderson, Outside Linebacker David Reese, Safety Kamari Wilson, Defensive Lineman Chris McClellan, Tight End Keon Zipperer, Quarterback Jack Miller, Linebacker Derek Wingo, Safety Tre ‘Vez Johnson, Running Back Lorenzo Lingard, Defensive Lineman Desmond Watson, Safety Rashad Torrence II, Running Back Demarkcus Bowman, Cornerback Avery Helm, Punter Jeremy Crawshaw, Safety Kamari Wilcoxson, Safety Jadarrius Perkins, Cornerback Devin Moore, Inside Linebacker Diwun Black, Defensive Lineman Princely Umanmielen, Outside Linebacker Chief Borders, Returner Fenley Graham, Outside Linebacker Antwaun Powell, Offensive Lineman Kamryn Waites, Offensive Lineman O’Cyrus Torrence, Offensive Lineman Kingsley Eguakun, Offensive Lineman Ethan White, Offensive Lineman Michael Tarquin and Offensive Lineman Josh Braun.

This is not including several players who are injured and whose status is uncertain.

Gervon Dexter Is A Circle Player. Photo by Chris Spears.

There are 30 “Checks” and a couple in the green room waiting for news on injuries. That would make a total of about 42. Napier said earlier that he thought he could identify two deep on offense and defense. I could have squeezed out several more, but let’s see if they show up in the Orange and Blue evaluation. Clearly, some work left to be done. But also room to grow, discover and improve.

The good news is that Napier’s message about his large staff, their goals, his diligence about improving the environment for student-athletes and future plans for championship contention have resonated with the prospects on visits to the UF Campus. Clearly the veracity of his words is making an impression with them. Veracity of words is nice, but eventually it must translate to success on the field. That comes with adding excellent players, coaches coaching them up and those players executing on the vision. Overall, I like the long-term possibilities. But I should also implore you: Patience, Grasshopper.