Loren Meadows: Lesson Plans: Napier’s Expectations For His Quarterbacks Are Very Clear
Updated: Aug 19, 2022
Napier has stated “that our expectations are greater than anyone on the outside.” When looking at the quarterbacks, this philosophy is put on display every day.
By LOREN MEADOWS
GatorBait Football Analyst
The quarterback position is a legacy of greatness at the University of Florida. One only has to drive down Gale Lemerand Blvd. to see that. Clearly, playing quarterback for the Gators is not to be taken lightly.
Along with the statued Spurrier, Wuerffel and Tebow, the Gator fans fondly speak of other QBs like Reaves, Matthews, Grossman and Trask. In 2022, the Gators find themselves in void of the unknown. Not because they are absent of talent, but because they lack experience. What is perceived to be their three-deep roster of QBs has completed a total of 46 career passes on 73 attempts.
What is known is that Billy Napier is hands-on with his quarterbacks. While Dan Mullen was known as the “quarterback whisperer,” Napier may just be "The Quarterback Mentor." Like Spurrier, he played the position -- Mullen didn't. And Dan left the bulk of the individual coaching to assistants Brian Johnson and Garrick McGee. Napier is far more involved, rarely leaving his position group for other duties during practice. While Offensive Analyst Ryan O’Hara has been a fixture with the quarterback group as well, it is Napier that handles the bulk of the coaching, correcting, and motivating his quarterbacks during fall camp.
Napier expects his quarterbacks to first-and-foremost cherish the football and not commit turnovers that can affect the Gators ability to play “complimentary” football. Second, he expects the Gators quarterbacks to be well-prepared
During Napier’s time at Louisiana, the quarterbacks were given “Lesson Plans” in the summer that corresponded with “optional” team activities to prepare for camp install and their opponents for the season. Included in those lesson plans were three to four activities that were required as part of the summer program.
The quarterbacks were first required to draw six plays of the day on a pad, detailing pass routes, protection, progressions, and blitz (hot) reads if necessary, each drawing to scale. The quarterbacks are required to detail route depth, as well as any checks and alerts that may be required.
Included in this drawing is what Napier calls “the gift,” which is an initial opportunity for the big play in any passing situation should the defense allow. This “gift” speaks to Napier’s “scared money don’t make money” mantra as he will always have his quarterback looking to take the big play.
In the second part of the lesson plan, the quarterbacks are asked to complete what Napier calls “opponent emphasis,” which is watching the first half of an opponent’s defense versus another offense. The quarterback must then draw both the opponents defense and the offense on the film and translate that into the offensive and defensive terminology used by his team allowing them to recognize a play no matter who is running it.
In addition, the quarterback is asked to draw the pressure of the day and the coverage of the day complete with defensive front alignment and back end coverage. Finally, each quarterback is asked to watch “Ignition Reels.” This is a daily motivational piece where each player will watch film of those considered to be the best at the quarterback position from either the college or pro level. In the case of the Gators, it could be clips of Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson Louisiana’s Levi Lewis, possibly Florida’s own Danny Wuerffel. All in an effort to motivate and excite the quarterback to take a little piece from the clip and apply it to his craft. With the success of Levi Lewis as Napier’s primary signal caller at Louisiana it is almost certain these “Lesson Plans” will be utilized with the quarterbacks at Florida.
Napier has said you win with “people, strategy, and competition.” At Florida he has a quarterback room that could continue to build on that philosophy at a high level. Anthony Richardson has started to separate himself as the clear leader of the group and has drawn praise from his Head Coach. “I really believe Anthony is an elite talent,” Napier has stated. “I think he is smart, and processes well.
“Our system is quarterback driven. I think Anthony is excited about the opportunities that come with that.” Napier went a step further in praising Anthony’s preparation for the summer. “Our summer routine for the quarterbacks is pretty rigorous but I wouldn’t trade him I promise you that.”
Competing with Richardson has been Jack Miller, the Ohio State transfer who has been on the radar of Billy Napier since his time as a prep star in Arizona and Napier was the offensive coordinator for the Sun Devils.
While not the runner Anthony Richardson is, Miller throws a very catchable ball and as Napier has stated provides the Gators with another quarterback that can play winning football this season. “(I’m) very pleased with Jack. We gave him a few reps with the first group just as a healthy experience for him. I thought he did some really good things, you know, in this setting. Jack is very capable.”
Miller who has been absent this week from practice with an undisclosed reason should be well prepared if called upon when healthy and available.
Battling for the third spot are second and first-year players Jalen Kitna and Max Brown. Kitna, the son of former NFL veteran Jon Kitna, is steadily improving despite being sidelined for a short portion of training camp for a small knee procedure. “Kitna is probably the player I saw the most growth in from the spring practices.” said Napier “Just to see him take another step fundamentally, he’s throwing the ball (with) much more consistency, more accuracy.”
Max Brown, a freshman from Tulsa, is what Napier expects from most of the young players on his team who are adjusting to the college game in their first year. “He’s going through the growing pains that most rookie quarterbacks go through,” Napier stated. “Everybody’s a bit bigger, a bit faster, lot of information, a lot to process. He’s a reflection of most of the rookies on our team.”
Napier will remain critical of his quarterbacks as he continues their hands-on education. They must endure what their coach calls "designed difficulty" in fall practice.
Napier has played winning football as the quarterback of the Furman Paladins in the early 2000’s. He was two-time All-Southern Conference performer who in 2001 led Furman to the NCAA Division 1-AA Championship game. A career 64.8 percent passer, Napier will demand that same efficiency from his quarterback as he demands that “they compete with their accuracy” in drills to make each other better. Napier has stated that he and Anthony Richardson are not just on the same page but “almost on the same sentence,” which means the homework and lesson plans are hitting home with his top-signal caller. Perhaps, best of all, it appears to be working for "The Mentor."
After publication it was revealed that Jack Miller's absence was due to a broken thumb on his throwing hand that required surgery. With Jack Miller sidelined the backup duties to Anthony Richardson will most likely fall to 1st year quarterback Max Brown or Jalen Kitna who has been dealing with injuries during training camp as well. Walk-on Kyle Engel could be added to the mix if Kitna is not able to return to adequate health.
Awesome analysis Loren! Coach Napier needs to put you on staff!