Napier dismisses the panic over the calf injury to QB DJ Lagway

(Photo by Chris Spears)

In the aftermath of DJ Lagway being seen throwing the football at a practice session open to the media on Saturday, there was an exhale from media and Gator fans alike strong enough to qualify as a category one or two hurricane. Wearing a compression sleeve on his left leg to protect an injured calf, Lagway threw effortlessly, giving the appearance that at least from an arm standpoint, he’s ready to have an exceptional training camp.

When he met the media Monday, Florida coach Billy Napier pretty much dismissed the widespread panic over the Lagway injury as much ado about nothing.

“Yeah, I think it was good for you guys [in the media] to see him,” Napier said. “I think you guys were probably a little more relieved than everybody else. We’ve been watching the guy work all summer, you know. Obviously, he had a little bit of a setback with the calf, but I think he’s on the right track and you know, he threw in public the other day and eveybody’s all excited about that. The guy’s been working hard all summer and certainly, hopefully, he’ll be able to do more and more as we go day-to-day.”

Well, so much for that.

The rest of the Monday media session was spent discussing improvement by numerous players and depth, depth being the most important topic discussed.

Regarding the depth at guard on the offensive line, Napier said, “Yeah, we got four guards I think that are good players. I think Kam Waites and Rod Kearney are having good camps, and I think there's a lot of competition there. Obviously Damieon (George) and Knijeah (Harris) are returning stars, but we got four good players. I think Jason Zandamela has had a good camp. He's really impressed me through the fifth day with the progress he's made at center. So, yeah, I feel good about those guys up front, and it's extremely competitive out there because I think the defensive line room and the edge room is a battle every day. So, yeah, feel good about that competitive depth at that position for sure.”

And, regarding the overall depth of the team, Napier said in reply to a question, “I think we know in this league that our depth will be challenged. There were guys that had to play last year that were sitting in the team room this time of year last year, maybe thinking there's no chance I'm going to play. So in this league, with the depth of the competition, the physicality, the size, explosive players that we play against, our depth will be challenged. There's going to be weeks where we're without a few. It's important that we have the depth that we need, and can we build a team that doesn't have the drop-off - that's the challenge here. The special teams component is the other part, in terms of having enough players to be really good in the kicking game. We did a great job in the kicking game last year. I think we were composite No. 2 in the country in the top-three ranking systems. So, that's an area where we need to continue to develop roles. I think we have a chance to be really good in the kicking game again."

Well, there you go.

GATORS NO. 17 IN COACHES POLL; WILL FACE SEVEN TOP 25 TEAMS

The AFCA Coaches Top 25 poll is out with Florida earning the No. 17 ranking to start the season. The Gators will play what ESPN has deemed the toughest schedule in the nation of Power Four conference teams – at No. 9 LSU; at No. 10 Miami; No. 1 Texas; at No. 21 Texas A&M; No. 4 Georgia (in Jacksonville); at No. 15 Ole Miss and No. 15 Tennessee.

Billy Napier was fairly non-committal about Florida’s early ranking.

“Ultimately, for our team, it’s important that we’re focused on our process and not necessarily other’s opinion,” Napier said. “I think if we connect our confidence to others’ opinions of our self and our team, then we’ll not end up being the best we can be. I think we have to work each day. If we can keep stacking days and focus on today, then that turns into a good week, turns into a good month … you look up, maybe you have a good season. So, you know, maybe we’re better than that, maybe we’re not. Obviously, we don’t live in that world. You guys (media) do, but certainly it’s good to get a little attention, but we know it doesn’t matter. We’re going to have to spot the ball and go compete and earn it on the field.”

The toughest schedules belong to Florida, Oklahoma and unranked Mississippi State, all of whom play seven ranked teams. LSU, Arkansas and Kentucky will each play six ranked teams. The easiest? Missouri, Auburn and Tennessee only play three ranked teams. No. 1 Texas will play four.

AFCA COACHES TOP 25: 1. Texas; 2. Ohio State; 3. Penn State; 4. Georgia; 5. Notre Dame; 6. Clemson; 7. Oregon; 8. Alabama; 9. LSU; 10. Miami; 11. Arizona State; 12. Illinois; 13. South Carolina; 14. Michigan; 15. Ole Miss; 16. SMU; 17. FLORIDA; 18. Tennessee; 19. Indiana; 20. Kansas State; 21. (TIE) Iowa State; Texas A&M; 23. BYU; 24. Texas Tech; 25. Boise State

SEC FOOTBALL

Alabama: Corner Domani Jackson, who missed the entire spring, is back practicing. After transferring from Southern Cal last season, Jackson finished with 52 tackles with two interceptions, a pass breakup and a forced fumble … Alabama will face four teams from the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 4 Georgia, No. 18 Tennessee, at No. 13 South Carolina; and No. 9 LSU.

Arkansas: K.J. Jackson seems to be solid as the No. 2 quarterback behind Taylen Green. As a freshman a year ago, Jackson completed all four of his pass attempts for 59 yards. He had one rushing attempt that gained three yards … The Razorbacks will face six teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 15 Ole Miss; No. 5 Notre Dame; at No. 19 Tennessee; No. 21 Texas A&M; at No. 9 LSU; at No. 1 Texas.

Auburn: These guys lined up as the first team defense Monday: DE Keldric Faulk; DT Jay Hardy; NT Bobby Jamison-Travis; EDGE Keyron Crawford; LB Elijah Melendez and Xavier Atkins; CB Jay Crawford and Kayin Lee; S Kalev Harris and Kensley Louidor-Faustin; NB Sylvester Smith … The Tigers will face three teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 21 Texas A&M; No. 4 Georgia; and No. 8 Alabama.

Georgia: Gunner Stockton is the clear No. 1 at quarterback. The backup QB is a battle between Ryan Puglisi and Ryan Montgomery. Puglisi is a redshirt freshman while Montgomery is a true freshman who wasn’t available in the spring … Georgia will face five teams from the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 18 Tennessee; No. 8 Alabama; No. 15 Ole Miss; No. 17 Florida (in Jacksonville); and No. 1 Texas.  

Kentucky: Incarnate Word transfer Zach Calzada is the No. 1 QB at the moment, but sophomore Cutter Boley has been turning heads with some very good throws. Last season, Boley completed 26-53 passes for 338 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions … Kentucky will face six teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – No. 15 Ole Miss; at No. 12 South Carolina; at No. 4 Georgia; No. 1 Texas; No. 18 Tennessee; and No. 17 Florida.

LSU: In the 7-on-7 session at Monday’s practice, Garrett Nussmeier completed 6-8 passes for 35 yards with one interception. In the 11-on-11 he was 6-8 for 60 yards … The Tigers will face six teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 6 Clemson; No. 17 Florida; at No. 15 Ole Miss; No. 13 South Carolina; No. 21 Texas A&M; and at No. 8 Alabama.  

Mississippi State: As Jeff Lebby continues to shuffle his O-line, hoping to find a combination that works better than last year when the Bulldogs gave up 38 sacks, senior Albert Reese IV (6-7, 330) is working at both guard and tackle. … The Bulldogs will face seven teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – No. 11 Arizona State; No. 18 Tennessee; at No. 21 Texas A&M; at No. 17 Florida; No. 1 Texas; No. 4 Georgia; No. 15 Ole Miss.

Missouri: Ahmad Hardy (5-10, 206, SO) is the clear No. 1 running back. Last year as a true freshman at Louisiana-Monroe he gained 1,351 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. A year ago Mizzou used Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll in a 2-headed approach. They combined for 1,413 yards and 15 touchdowns … The Tigers will face three teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – No. 13 South Carolina; No. 8 Alabama; and No. 21 Texas A&M.

Oklahoma: Out with injuries at Monday’s practice were wide receiver Deion Burks, O-lineman Derek Simmons, defensive back Kendel Dolby; D-lineman Gracen Halton and corner Eli Bowen. Tight end Kaden Helms suffered a hand injury Monday. Florida State transfer Marvin Jones Jr. was injured Saturday but was back practicing Monday … Oklahoma will face seven teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – No. 15 Michigan; No. 1 Texas (in Dallas); at No. 13 South Carolina; No. 15 Ole Miss; at No. 18 Tennessee; at No. 8 Alabama; and No. 9 LSU.

Ole Miss: The offensive line is shaping up like this: Center Brycen Sanders; guards PJ Wilkins and Delano Townsend; tackles Diego Pounds and Jayden Williams … The Rebels will face four teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – No. 9 LSU; at No. 4 Georgia; No. 13 South Carolina; and No. 17 Florida.

South Carolina: HBC Shane Beamer says the South Carolina wide receivers have “a chance to be the most talented wide receiver room we’ve had here, certainly in my time and really probably in a long time here at Carolina” … The Gamecocks will face five teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 9 LSU; No. 8 Alabama; at No. 15 Ole Miss; at No. 21 Texas A&M; and at No. 6 Clemson.

Tennessee: The injury report: Corner Jermod McCoy, wide receiver Chris Brazzell, tight end Cole Harrison, EDGE Christian Glass, wide receiver Mike Matthews and EDGE Joshua Josephs … The Vols will face three teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – No. 4 Georgia; at No. 8 Alabama; at No. 17 Florida.

Texas: Redshirt sophomore right tackle Andre Cojoe (6-6, 345), suffered what is feared to be a torn ACL. Cojoe was competing for the starting job … The Longhorns will face four teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 2 Ohio State; at No. 17 Florida; at No. 4 Georgia; No. 21 Texas A&M.

Texas A&M: The depth chart behind starting quarterback Marcel Reed (6-1, 185, RSO) is Jacob Zeno (6-2, 215, RSR), Miles O’Neill (6-5, 220, RSO), Brady Hart (6-4, 195, FR) and Eli Morcos (6-1, 205, FR) … The Aggies will face five teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 5 Notre Dame; No. 17 Florida; at No. 9 LSU; No. 13 South Carolina; and at No. 1 Texas.

Vanderbilt: Linebacker Miles Capers, who had 46 tackles including eight for loss, three sacks and three forced fumbles a year ago, has added 14 pounds of muscle. He measures out at 6-4, 249 pounds now … The Commodores will face five teams ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 – at No. 13 South Carolina; at No. 8 Alabama; No. 9 LSU; at No. 1 Texas; at No. 18 Tennessee.