How Billy Napier has used the portal to change perceptions

The players Billy Napier has added in the portal are changing perceptions (GB Photo by Chris Spear)

We used to call this the silly season, the three or so months after the end of spring football before things cranked up again with practice in August. This was, of course, before the transfer portal met NIL which turned silly into borderline insane.

Borderline insanity is what we have now. We haven’t passed the point of no return, but we’re getting there. Meanwhile, the portal and NIL have transformed the silly season into one ruled by perceptions that can change on a daily basis.

When the curtain came down on Florida’s spring football a few weeks ago, there was a faction trying to sell the perception that while the Gators would be improved, maybe not enough to save Billy Napier’s job. Nobody seems to understand that Billy’s job isn’t on the line right now. If things haven’t turned around after the 2025 season, then and only then can we talk about a blowtorch fired up and ready to scorch his butt.

For now, there is no blowtorch, not even a warm seat. Based on how Napier has addressed team needs through the combination of recruiting outstanding high school kids and judicious use of the transfer portal perceptions are beginning to change about the Gators in 2024. The schedule hasn’t changed. Most experts think it’s the toughest in the nation, but the players Napier has brought in through the portal have changed the two deep considerably, to the point that for the first time since he’s been Florida’s head coach, the Gators will field a roster that has very few holes.

After the spring game, Napier admitted that the Florida roster looks SEC capable. In the weeks since the spring game, it’s taken on an even better look. Last week alone, Napier added wide receiver Elijhah Badger from Arizona State and former 5-star recruit Cormani McClain from Colorado. Badger and McClain had plenty of offers but they chose Napier and the Gators. That alone tells you that perceptions are changing.

There is a huge gap between perception and reality. Perceptions will only change for good when Napier has turned the Florida program into a consistent winner. Two losing seasons by Napier, three straight dating back to Dan Mullen, have produced more than a fair share of skeptics, but it’s worth analyzing the changes Napier has made to his roster. Everything points to changing perceptions.

Here is a position-by-position and individual player analysis of everyone who has both come and gone from the portal since the end of the 2023 season.  

Position-by-position analysis

Graham Mertz is a former transfer who is poised for a monster season (GB Photo by Chris Spears)

Quarterback (2 in, 2 out): Graham Mertz is set for a monster season and 5-star freshman DJ Lagway has All-American potential. Picking up Clay Millen gives the Gators a QB with 11 games as a starter for insurance. Aidan Warner will be No. 4 in the QB room. Max Brown needed to go somewhere that he can play. Here’s hoping that Jalen Kitna can put the past behind him and have a career. (Florida plus)

Running back (1 out): It can be safely argued that Georgia gained more than Florida lost with the departure of Trevor Etienne. That’s not to say Etienne isn’t a supremely talented back because he is, but Montrell Johnson Jr. is an absolute stud and Florida’s running back room is loaded. Still, you never want to lose someone as talented as Etienne, particularly to your top SEC rival. (Florida minus)

Wide receiver (2 in, 2 out): Florida gained two starters in Chimere Dike (Wisconsin) and Elijhah Badger (Arizona State) who have a combined 239 catches for 3,078 yards and 19 touchdowns. The Gators lose 28 catches for 436 yards and three TDs combined from Caleb Douglas and Thai Chaikhiao-Bowman. Billy Napier made out like a bandit. (Florida plus)

Tight end (1 in, 2 out): Caleb Rillos (Air Force) excels as a blocker because that’s almost all he did at Air Force. He gives the Gators a second tight end for short yardage and goal lines and negates the loss of Jonathan Odom. (Even)

O-line (3 in, 4 out): Napier picked up two starters in Devon Manuel (Arkansas) and Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson (San Diego State). They were the starting tackles in the spring. Pencil Manuel in at left tackle, Crenshaw-Dickson at right, but if Austin Barber and Kam Waites return healthy in August, there may be temptation to move Crenshaw-Dickson to right guard. Among his 30-plus career starts are several at guard. Jason Zandamela spent a spring at Southern Cal before electing to transfer closer to home (Clearwater). He was a 4-star prospect when he signed. The Gators lost both starting guards (Richie Leonard, Micah Mazzccua), but both had below average grades and won’t be missed. Jalen Farmer and Jordan Herman were only going to be backups. Call it addition by subtraction for Napier. (Florida plus)

D-line (1 in, 3 out): The Gators lost one of their most versatile D-linemen in Chris McClellan, who could play inside or out, but they picked up Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year Joey Slackman (Penn), who not only brings toughness and experience, but real leadership qualities.  (Florida plus)

Linebacker (1 in, 1 out): Florida got what it needed in Grayson Howard, a big, strong plant people in the hole type of linebacker. Texas A&M got what it needed in Florida transfer Scooby Williams, who can play inside or outside. If there is any advantage, it is that Florida will have Howard for at least two years while Scooby could bolt for the NFL  if he has an exceptional season. (Even) 

EDGE (1 in, 1 out): When Princely Umanmielen showed up to play he could be a wrecking crew, but he didn’t always bring his A game. If he plays motivated all year at Ole Miss he will move way up the draft charts. George Gumbs (Northern Illinois) has tremendous instincts but he was a wide receiver two years ago. Florida gets two years out of Gumbs while Ole Miss gets one year out of Princely. Still Princely may be playing for an SEC title in December. (Florida minus)

Corner (2 in, 2 out): Even though the long range potential is greater with Jameer Grimsely (Alabama) and Cormani McClain (Colorado), the Gators lose two corners in Jaydon Hill and Jalen Kimber with a ton of experience. Grimsley has four years of eligibility while McClain has three. Hill and Kimber are one-and-dones. (Florida plus)

Safety (3 in, 3 out): This and OL were probably Florida’s two most critical needs in the portal and the Gators scored big with three starters. DJ Douglas is an absolute stud who anchored the back end of Tulane defenses that won 23 games the last two years. Asa Turner (Washington) is an aggressive ball hawk who started the national championship game. Trikweze Bridges (Oregon) can play nickel, cover tight ends and slots, and puts people on the ground. Of the three safeties the Gators lost in the portal, Miguel Mitchell is the only one who figured prominently. Jedarrius Perkins was a non-factor and Kamari Wilson has probably outgrown safety and needs to transition to linebacker. (Florida plus)

Special teams (1 out): Adam Mihalek lost his job to Trey Smack and wasn’t going to get it back. He has 50-plus range on field goals, but the closer you get the more likely he is to miss. (Florida plus)

Florida’s transfers

Incoming (16)

WR Elijhah Badger (Arizona State): He’s almost a Ricky Pearsall clone, who can play the slot or outside. He’s a huge pickup.

WR Chimere Dike (Wisconsin): Dike and Mertz were a nice tandem at Wisconsin and should be again. Dike is a long strider with sure hands who is a lot faster than he looks.

TE Caleb Rillos (Air Force): He’s a walk-on at Florida but he will definitely play as a hand in the ground blocker in short yardage and goal line situations. Air Force hardly ever threw so we’ll learn if he can catch consistently in the fall.

QB Clay Millen (Colorado State): He is experience insurance. Got 10 starts as a sophomore on a bad Colorado State team. Injured in game one in 2023. Very solid pickup.

QB Aidan Warner (Yale): He’s a Winter Park kid who wanted to come home. He will raise the team GPA and will run fourth team.

OT Devon Manuel (Arkansas): He’s a starter from day one. Long wingspan, great feet. He can play left or right tackle.

OT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson (San Diego State): More than 30 starts at both tackles and at guard. If Austin Barber returns from shoulder surgery healthy, Crenshaw-Dickson could even move inside to the troublesome right guard.

OG Jason Zandamela (Southern California): Four years of eligibility. Very good size and mobility.

DT Joey Slackman (Pennsylvania): Ivy League defensive player of the year. Great mobility and versatile enough to play inside or outside.

EDGE George Gumbs (Northern Illinois): He is still learning how to play the edge but he has the quickness and instincts. He started out as a wide receiver who grew out of the position.

LB Grayson Howard (South Carolina): Starter from day one who has ideal size (6-4, 250) in the middle and the kind of nasty attitude you want in a linebacker.

CB Jameer Grimsley (Alabama): When Nick Saban retired he transferred. All four years of eligibility. Long and fast cover guy who will play plenty as a freshman.

CB Cormani McClain (from Colorado): Needs to add some muscle, but the speed and closing skills are there. Nice pickup of a Lakeland kid.

S Asa Turner (Washington): Starter. Sure tackler with nice ball hawking skills.

S DJ Douglas (Tulane): Don’t be surprised if he isn’t one of the top two or three defensive players on the team in 2024. Covers, tackles, hits people.

S Trikweze Bridges (Oregon): Versatile enough to play nickel and strong enough to handle tight ends.

Outgoing (23)

WR Caleb Douglas (Texas Tech): If he can stay healthy, he could emerge as a deep threat.

TE Andrew Savaiinea (Nevada): Came to UF as a D-lineman, moved to tight end and was buried on the depth charts. A west coast kid who will do better closer to home.

TE Jonathan Odom (Eastern Michigan): Not big enough to play tackle at UF like his All-American dad, not fast enough to be an effective tight end. Good move for him to the MAC.

RB Trevor Etienne (Georgia): He’s an explosive runner with go the distance ability on every play, but he’s a liability in the passing game, both as a receiver and protector. He’ll run for big yards behind Georgia’s O-line.

QB Max Brown (Charlotte): At Charlotte he will get a chance to play. Good enough talent to play in the American.

QB Jalen Kitna (UAB): There was a time when it seemed a promising career was ahead. Perhaps he can resurrect that promise playing for Trent Dilfer.

OT Jordan Herman (Charlotte): Monstrous size but didn’t crack UF’s O-line rotation in two years.

OG Richie Leonard (Florida State): He needs to be able to play center. A liability in pass protection.

OG Micah Mazzccua (Nebraska): There are whispers that he was toxic in the locker room; most say good riddance. Struggled in pass protection last year.

OG Jalen Farmer (Kentucky): Could do well in Kentucky’s grind it out running game, but didn’t crack the rotation at UF.

DT Chris McClellan (Missouri): He would have played a lot. He’s a tough loss because he is versatile enough to play all four positions on a 4-man front.

DT Will Norman (Marshall): He played in four games and had one unassisted tackle. The potential is there but he needs to play. At Marshall and in the Sun Belt he could be a stud.

DT Keenan Landry (Louisiana Tech): Former walk-on who earned a scholarship. In Conference USA he can probably be an every game player.

EDGE Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss): Will he come to play every down or play only when he really feels like? If he plays hard every play, he will be missed.

LB Scooby Williams (Texas A&M): This was a tough loss because he could play both inside linebackers and out on the edge. He will thrive in Mike Elko’s defense.

CB Jalen Kimber (Penn State): Inconsistent coverage guy who struggled against deep routes.  

CB Jaydon Hill (Texas A&M): Great kid, great attitude but very inconsistent in coverage.

S Miguel Mitchell (Arkansas): A very hard hitter who showed plenty of potential. He will play at Arkansas.

S Jedarrius Perkins (Toledo): Needed a change of scenery and perhaps a league where the receivers aren’t nearly as fast.

S Kamari Wilson (Arizona State): At some point someone is going to have to move him to linebacker.

Still available

WR Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman: Has been in the portal a long time without a new home announcement.

OT Kiyaunta Goodwin: Left to go home to care for his mother, who has/had cancer. No word on if or when he will play again.  

CB Ethan Pouncey: Entered the portal after spring football. Didn’t play much at UF.