Early Saturday Observations Practice From A Newcomer

You talking about Practice?

A sunny day in The Swamp, so Billy and his troops went to work. (Chris Spears Photo)

Longtime Gator football observer Eddie Gilley took his first writing assignment Saturday and said he felt a little awkward switching roles from fan to observer/writer. This is his report:

Well it’s better to talk about practice than the empty space of collegiate sports that is late July and early August. The Gator football team practiced on Saturday on the beautiful green grass of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. In front of a select group of parents and Bull Gators, the 2025 Gators went through a couple of hours of grueling work in the hot Florida sun.

Here are my observations from our brief period to watch Coach Napier’s most anticipated team in his tenure at the helm of Gator Nation:

This team passed the eye test better than any other team in the last few years.

The Strength and Conditioning Coach is the second most important coach. Guys looked bigger, stronger and badder! Yes, I’m aware that it isn’t good English, but it is good for Gator fans.

This Gator team looks like an SEC contender. The backups look like they can play as well. That bodes well for Gator nation. 

DJ Lagway looked impressive throwing the football. He wasn’t in a boot and participated in all the drills in the viewing period with the other QBs. He didn’t appear to be limited in his throws. He was impressive, to be honest.

The backup QB’s who are competing for the number two spot appear to be in good shape as well.

Last year’s No. 3 Aiden Warner might be ahead just because of familiarity with the offense. Graduate Transfer Harrison Bailey looks like a poised backup and has more experience than Warner. But the future looks to be with Freshmen Tramell Jones Jr. The Jacksonville Mandarin QB has all the arm talent you would want in an SEC Quarterback. The ball zipped off his hand. Time will tell if he can make the jump from a talented high school leader to a guy who can be counted on to run an offense in the SEC.

The guys the coaches have been crowing about, look the part. On offense and defense, the leaders are setting the pace.

There was an energy that was noticeable and different from past seasons. They were working but they were also having fun doing it. Some might even say, they were enjoying the process!

The old adage is practice makes perfect, but that’s not quite correct. As Vince Lombardi put it “perfect practice makes perfect!”

While the Gator practice wasn’t perfect, it was very good. There are still three more Saturdays until they need to be perfect against LIU. They appear to be well on their way to getting there by then.