While Napier has made many changes within the Florida program, a key member of his “army” of people will be 'Game Changer Coordinator' Chris Couch. By LOREN MEADOWS GatorBait Football Analyst In 2021, the Florida Gator special teams left a lot to be desired. Lackadaisical effort and a lack of attention contributed to the issues that seemed to get worse as the season progressed. Florida lost all but one of the games that were decided by one score or less last season. In most of those games, one could identify special team breakdowns that ultimately cost the Gators the victory. From kick coverage units to field goals, the Gators seemed to lack the mental focus and physical attributes that can make a stellar special teams unit. In 2021, the Gators ranked 100 of 130 teams in kickoff returns, 110 of 130 in kickoff return defense, 77 of 130 in punt returns and 88 of 130 in punt return defense. While many could point to questionable play calls on both sides of the ball and sporadic quarterback play, the sub- par performances of four key units clearly attributed to the woes of 2021. Many coaches have stated the “special teams are special,” so special that teams have used the performance of individuals on these units to determine playing time for younger players at other positions -- as well as movement up or down the offensive or defensive depth chart. Frank Beamer, the legendary Virginia Tech Coach, seen by many as the father of modern special teams’ design, was notorious for benching starting players who did not treat their assignments on special teams as “special” as they should have. Enter Billy Napier and the 2022 Florida Gators “Game Changer” unit. While Napier has made many changes within the Florida program a key member of his “army” of people will be “Game Changer Coordinator” Chris Couch, who followed Napier from Louisiana where he served as special teams coordinator and director of quality control and analytics. As Game Changer coordinator, Couch will look to breathe life into the Florida special teams and replicate the success this unit had at Louisiana. In 2021, Louisiana ranked ninth in net punting, tenth in blocked kicks, 15th in punting average and 17th nationally in kickoff return defense nationally. While it is unseen how the Florida Gators will look on special teams, it is clear the importance of this unit will be the key to success every year. Look for the Gators to be extremely aggressive with their kick and punt units and utilize some creativity to gain an advantage over opponents during key points of the game. Pros and Cons of the Special Teams Pros It Can Only Get Better--While Greg Knox was a long-trusted assistant of Dan Mullen, his time as special teams coordinator at Florida was underwhelming. Punt returns were glaringly underutilized during Mullen’s tenure with talented returners told to “only” fair catch the ball. Special team mishaps hampered the Gators in losses to Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, and a win against woeful FCS foe Samford. Numbers tell the story of a unit that only hampered the Gators in 2021. With increased scrutiny of opponent tendencies and a commitment to sound play one could expect this unit to take a huge leap forward. Naming the special teams, the “Game Changers” shows an all-out commitment to this often ignored but prominent phase of the game. Creativity--An assistant solely dedicated to the structure and development of this unit will allow for several plans and ideas to be explored. Look for the Gators “Game Changers” to utilize creativity and represent the opposite of the special teams under Dan Mullen. It would not be surprising to see reverses on kicks, creative fake punts and punt blocks to level the playing field in 2022. Personnel Depth--Florida returns several players who have spent a lot of time on special teams. Projected starters such as Trey Dean III, Rashad Torrence, Justin Shorter and Trent Whittemore have all contributed to the unit. Florida also has the versatility of special teams’ returnees Derek Wingo, Diwun Black, Lorenzo Lingard, Lloyd Summerall III and Kamar Wilcoxson. While they could possibly also contribute offensively and defensively, look for them to remain key parts of Florida’s special teams. Punting--While the coverage teams were inconsistent at times, Florida returns on of the nation’s best punters in sophomore Jeremy Crawshaw. Crawshaw punted 52 times for a 44.10-yard average to ranked 31st nationally. He also possesses enough athletic ability to be a factor in creative fakes if Florida chooses to utilize them. The utilization of “rugby style” punting by Napier in the past as well as numbers that suggest success in punt coverage. Look for Florida to be vastly improved in this area. Cons Who’s the Kicker? -- Chris Howard transferred after spring practice so it would seem the job would fall to incoming freshman Trey Smack, a highly ranked kicker and punter from Severna Park, MD, who is a tall slender prospect with a huge leg. Smack is also athletic, having spent time at linebacker, defensive back and tight end in high school. However, Smack will be new to the raucous environment of the SEC and has only been kicking since 2019. Will Smack overcome possible nerves and give the Gators the consistency they sorely missed in 2021? Return Game--Xzavier Henderson averaged 6.8 yards on 24 punt returns, while only returning two kickoffs for a 13-yard average. Florida saw little success in this department in 2021 and the departures of both Fenley Graham and Demarkcus Bowman have the Gators looking for an answer at both punt and kickoff return. Xzavier Henderson will catch it but has not shown the explosiveness or elusiveness to flip the field in the game’s crucial moments. Gone is 22.8-yard average from Malik Davis, so Florida will be looking for options in the kickoff return game from fall camps first few days. Depth--While any team would struggle if their top kicker or punter was lost to injury, the fact that special teams has been so enigmatic over the past year makes the health of both Crawshaw and Smack important. Possible Game Changers Jeremy Crawshaw, Punter--Named to the 2021 All-SEC Freshman Team, Crawshaw had 20 50-yard plus punts as well as 20 punts inside the 20. With a long of 69 yards, the future NFL punter will be a valuable weapon as the Gators look to establish the run game and control field position. Trey Smack, Kicker--A top 10 kicking prospect Smack can be seen on video consistently converting 45–55-yard kicks from a tee. Time will tell if this translates to game time performance, but Smack exudes confidence and is happy to be a Gator. Diwun Black, Linebacker--Black has the athletic skills to impact the game in many ways. Could he become the next outstanding punt blocker for the Gators -- as they will surely be more aggressive when their opponent is punting. Xzavier Henderson, Wide Receiver--While his numbers are not impressive, could improved schematics allow this long strider with top end speed to get going and become a true “game changer?” Ricky Pearsall, Wide Receiver--Pearsall has only returned one kickoff and returned no punts in three years at Arizona State. However, Anthony Richardson remarked how fast Pearsall was during SEC Media Days so he could become a factor in the return game. No matter who the players are, look for Florida to be much improved on special teams-- particularly in its coverage units. Billy Napier has a history of pressing the gas late in the half so points from field goals could be a boost as well. The attention to detail and single-minded focus of Chris Couch could have this unit as one of the most improved in the SEC.

By KYLE CURTIS GatorBaitMedia.com With a large number of 2023 and 2024 recruits coming and participating in this event, Florida must hit a home run. Friday Night Lights is a tradition at the University of Florida that former head coach Urban Meyer started in 2005. It is an event that is comparable to other schools that hold camps for prospects to showcase their abilities in front of the staff. What differentiates Florida’s Friday Night Lights & Cookout event versus other camps across the country is the format. It is a one-night event that includes dinner and a chance to play under the lights of The Swamp with music blaring and highlights of former years on the big screen. This year, a second day cookout has also been added for participants. It is an excellent way to show recruits the kind of atmosphere Florida football has. Friday Night Lights in the past has consisted of many Florida legends such as Tim Tebow, Joe Haden, Cam Newton and Vernon Hargreaves lll. In a pivotal time for recruiting and this is a critical year for Billy Napier’s inaugural Friday Night Lights showcase. After a tough loss early in the week on the recruiting trail with top linebacker prospect Malik Bryant committing to Miami over the Gators, Napier must make his presence felt this weekend. Here are some names to look for this weekend. Andy Jean, 4-star Wide Receiver The Miami native in June named the Gators his leader back in June and confirmed with AllGators that he will be attending Friday Night Lights along with the new recruit cookout. Jean has said he will announce his commitment early Fall, therefore putting UF in a good position to leave a lasting impression until Jean makes his final decision. Aidan Mizell, 4-Star Wide Receiver Another explosive talent out of Orlando, Aidan Mizell has been a priority target for Napier and his staff. Most recently, according to 247Sports, Mizell has received crystal ball projections to commit to Florida soon. A major target for Keary Colbert, Mizel is someone who received offers from other top programs such as Tennessee and Alabama but has always had Florida atop. Napier and company will look to seal the deal Friday. DJ Lagway, 5-star Quarterback One of the top names that will be there Friday night, Lagway announced his attendance earlier this week. Lagway has come out and said that while growing up, Florida was his “dream school.” This would be a huge get for this cycle and hopefully gain some momentum if Florida can impress Lagway. Lagway is from Willis, Texas and earned an offer from the Gators in March when he visited on an unofficial trip. Cormani McClain, 5-star Cornerback Corey Raymond has gone all out to land McClain, the nation’s top cornerback out of Lakeland. He’s the No. 3 overall player. Some will argue he is the top player of his class. Landing McClain and making an impactful impression with The Swamp under the lights could be the momentum this recruiting cycle needs. Along with these recruits, many commits from the upcoming class will be there as well including recent running back addition Treyaunn Webb. With a large number of 2023 and 2024 recruits coming and participating in this event, Florida must hit a home run. Other Names to Watch: Edge, Samuel M’Pemba DL, Kamran James CB, Desmond Ricks CB, Ja’Keem Jackson S, Jordan Castell

A few thoughts to jump start your Friday morning: A REASON TO FEEL OPTIMISTIC AND OTHER POST-COVID RAMBLINGS Back in 2014, Will Muschamp’s last year on the job at UF, the O-line featured Trenton Brown, Chaz Green, Martez Ivey, David Sharpe and Max Garcia, all of whom have made a living in the No Fun League since their days suiting up for the Gators. They were talented, no doubt, but for reasons that are as baffling as Billy Joe McCallister jumping off the Tallahatchee Bridge, the Gators had the 96th best offense (12th in the SEC) in Division I. From a sheer talent standpoint, that was Florida’s best offensive line since Urban Meyer retired after the 2010 season. From 2011-17, the Gators never finished higher than 96th in the country in total offense. Florida’s offense flourished under Dan Mullen, but there were always complaints that the O-line underachieved. A year ago, the Gators averaged 5.48 yards per rushing attempt (4th nationally) and the O-line allowed only 14 sacks (tied for 5th) but there were way too many mental blunders and discipline issues that resulted in false starts and holding penalties. That brings us to 2022. New coach in Billy Napier who believes in two offensive line coaches, something the Gators haven’t had since 2008 when Steve Addazio and John Hevesy coached up a line that was as good as there was anywhere in the country, featuring future Pro Bowlers Maurkice and Mike Pouncey. Rob Sale and Darnell Stapleton are charged with turning the 2022 Florida O-line into one that can grind opponents into a pulp while at the same time eliminating the silly penalties and brain farts. If you are looking for a reason to feel optimistic about this Florida football team, then take a long look at the offensive line. It’s interesting that the preseason mags all rate the Florida O-line in the bottom half of the SEC yet there are five returnees with starting experience from last year – Richard Gouraige (6-5, 308), Ethan White (6-4, 331), Kingsley Eguakun (6-3, 302), Josh Braun (6-6, 351) and Michael Tarquin (6-5, 295) – and they’re joined by two-time All-Sun Belt right guard O’Cyrus Torrence (6-5, 347) and a pair of massive transfers in juco Jordan Herman (6-8, 370) and Kamryn Waites (6-8, 373). Just a bit of proof that the UF O-line may be underrated, Alabama returns three starters from a line that gave up 41 sacks last year yet every preseason publication rates the Bama O-line top three or four in the SEC. I am of the opinion Florida’s O-line may turn out to be one of the best in the SEC because (1) better coaching; (2) more emphasis placed on eliminating mental and discipline mistakes; (3) more experience and (4) the presence of Torrence, a legitimate mauler who will make Florida a power running the ball up the gut. Four of the starting positions seem set – LT Gouraige, LG White, C Eguakun and RG Torrence. I see Tarquin replaced at RT by either Braun, who lost nearly 20 pounds so he could slide over to the outside, or Herman or Waites. I believe Torrence will be first team All-SEC and challenge for first or second team All-America. On paper, this is Florida’s best O-line in years. If they prove it on the field, the Gators just might exceed expectations. Matt Norlander (CBS) on Todd Golden’s recruiting strategy Matt Norlander of CBS spent five days embedded with Florida basketball coach Todd Golden on the recruiting trail and in Gainesville. The second of his two-part series of the time spent with Golden will be published today at cbssports.com. The reporting in part one was quite insightful because Norlander went in-depth to uncover Golden’s recruiting strategy that starts with the coach’s admission that it will be rare when a top 15-20 high school kid chooses the Gators over schools like Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina and Kansas, the true bluebloods of the sport. That doesn’t mean Golden can’t recruit well enough to make Florida a consistent upper level finisher in the SEC and a top 25 national program. It just means the Gators will have to be creative in the way they go about it. Here are a couple of excerpts: “Golden’s recruiting philosophy comes down to this: go after high school players with high-end potential, then fill in the roster with 20- and 21-year-old who’ve proven their value at the college level.” And this: “We won’t take a younger guy unless we think he is physically ready to play for us in his first year. We need pros. We need bad-ass dudes.” This is a very sound recruiting strategy made possible by the portal which will allow Golden to plug and play with experienced players rather than spend too much time trying to develop high school kids. Golden can concentrate on recruiting excellent high school kids from Florida and as far north as Atlanta then fill out the roster with grown men who already know how to play the game. I’m not enamored with … Southern Cal: Everyone is gaga over Lincoln Riley and the Trojans. He convinced a whole bunch of transfers to come to Tinseltown including quarterback Caleb Williams, who followed him from Oklahoma, and wide receiver Jordan Addison who caught 100 passes for 17 touchdowns last year at Pitt. I wouldn’t be surprised if Southern Cal finishes THIRD in the Pac-12 South behind Utah and UCLA. Lest we forget, Utah boatraced Southern Cal 42-26 last year. What UCLA did to their crosstown cousins was downright criminal. It was 62-33. Sure, that was last year and this is a new year, but nobody seems to be taking into consideration that both Utah and UCLA have their coaches and quarterbacks returning. Quinn Ewers, Texas QB: I’ll admit it. I haven’t exactly thought much of Ewers since he skipped his senior year in high school to pick up a million dollar NIL deal, threw himself on Ohio State in August after camp had already begun, then took the first train out of Columbus when he was (a) overwhelmed by the Ohio State offense and (b) played maybe four snaps in one game of mop-up duty. Now he’s at Texas. Maybe he will prove that he’s the greatest thing since the invention of the flush toilet but something tells me Steve Sarkisian will be turning to Hudson Card if he intends for the Longhorns to win. I wonder what happens when Arch Manning shows up in 2023. I don’t think he’s planning to sit. These guys aren’t getting near enough attention … Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma: They won’t miss Caleb Williams for a nanosecond at Oklahoma because Gabriel is that good and now he’s reunited with Jeff Lebby, his offensive coordinator for two years at UCF. In 26 games at UCF he threw for 8,037 yards (8.8 per attempt) and 70 touchdowns with only 14 picks. He’s the reason Oklahoma will win the Big 12. Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss: Before he was injured in the third game last season, he already had 15 catches for 290 yards and three touchdowns. He tried to play later on in the season but was still not over his injury. He is 6-2, 225 and runs a legit 4.4 in the 40. He is a matchup nightmare because he’s faster than most corners and more physical than all but a couple of safeties in the SEC. Grayson McCall, QB, Coastal Carolina: This is the best quarterback most of you have never heard of. The NFL has heard of him. He would start at most schools in the SEC. In two seasons he’s thrown for 5,361 yards (12.5 per attempt) and 53 touchdowns with only six interceptions. He has also run for 859 yards and 11 TDs. Henry To’oTo’o, LB, Alabama: Will Anderson gets all the attention and there’s no doubt he’s a fabulous linebacker, but To’oTo’o led Bama in tackles with 113 and was a beast making plays between the tackles. Devin Leary, QB, North Carolina State: Everybody in the ACC is talking about Sam Hartman at Wake Forest Gump, Tyler Van Dyke at Miami and Brennan Armstrong at Virginia or the wunderkind Cade Klubnik at Clemson. All those guys are good, but the best QB in the league is Leary. Last year he threw for 3,433 yards and 35 TDs with only five picks. Potential widespread panic in the Almost Competitive Conference Apparently, at Saturday Road, ACC info site run by the people who own Saturday Down South, there are serious concerns that Notre Dame would join the Big Ten or SEC. As part of its agreement that allows Notre Dame to be an ACC member in all sports except football and hockey, Notre Dame is contracted to play a minimum of five football games each year against ACC opponents. Should Notre Dame join either the SEC or ACC, there is concern that it could be seen as a breach of the ACC’s Grant of Rights agreement, which would allow schools like Clemson, North Carolina, Virginia, Miami and Florida State to bolt for another league. Writes Matt Hayes on Saturday Road: “A move by Notre Dame to the Big Ten or SEC would be another legal argument opportunity for ACC schools who want to leave the conference. Notre Dame would no longer play as many as 6 games against ACC teams – high value for ACC members – and that, too, can be argued as a change in the original agreement.” “We have no idea where this is headed, or how beneficial it will be to member institutions,” an ACC athletic director told Saturday Road. “Everyone is searching for stability, for a safe spot.” ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: Just a couple of weeks ago, the 10 Pac-12 schools not named Southern Cal and UCLA voiced their solidarity to remain a viable conference. Commissioner George Kliavkoff, who was suckered along with ACC commissioner Little Jimmy Phillips into believing their alliance with Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren could bring the big, bad SEC to its knees, told his 10 remaining stragglers to never fear, a new media rights deal would be negotiated to replace the one that expires after the 2023-24 academic year. So much for negotiation. ESPN has low-balled the league with an offer of $24.5 million per Wildcat Authority editor Jason Scheer. They were anticipating a deal that would at least match the $33.6 million the league distributed a couple of years ago ($19 million last year). Fox won’t be making an offer. Fox, after all, put all its money into the Big Ten and even greased the skids so that Southern Cal and UCLA would depart. Now you know why Oregon, Washington, California and Stanford are balking at signing any new deal with the Pac-12 and why Phil Knight has been frantically pulling whatever strings he can to get Oregon into the Big Ten. Figure those four will be leaving with Southern Cal and UCLA in 2024. Of course, none of those four move the television needle but it will give the Big Ten six schools on the Left Coast which will help ease some of the logistics issues. So you can stick a fork in the Pac-12. It has two years of existence before it scatters like the wind. Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah will be joining the Big 12, which will get a far better media rights deal as a 16-team league than the Pac-12 got as a 10-team league that was trying to make an alliance with the ACC or add a couple of Mountain West schools to bring its number back to 12. The two Pac-12 orphans will be Oregon State and Washington State, which are almost certain to be absorbed into the Mountain West.

By KYLE. CURTIS GatorBaitMedia.com ‘Florida is the best of both worlds. Stellar in football, stellar academics, top five university in the country, you can’t beat that. For me while I was being recruited, you had to have an education system. It had to be just as stellar and that is why it came down to Stanford and the University of Florida.’ Chief Borders is a 6-foot-5, 242-pound redshirt-freshman linebacker out of Carrollton, GA. He appeared in four games his freshman season before ultimately getting redshirted. A four-star out of high school, Borders will be competing for snaps this year as well. In addition to appearing in four games, Borders was also named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Question: Talk about your experience with Gator Collective and why it would be a good fit for you. Answer: “Being a part of Gator Collective is just something you don’t get to do on a day-to-day basis, interacting with fans, just knowing you have that support system and making their day just by saying hey to them. Being their bright spot on what they’re going through on a day-to-day basis, it’s always a bonus.” Question: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself. Answer: “Chief Borders is a strong, intelligent black man who grew up in Chicago, Illinois. I’m the youngest out of eight, growing up in Chicago and then having to move to Georgia was a whole different transition between a lot of adversity and being able to react to South football. I graduated with a 4.2 GPA coming out of high school, AP/Honors classes, academics was never a crazy thing, and I was blessed to be intelligent. I just switched my major from biology to Pre PA and I’m now taking anatomy, grinding it out. I have always been a happy individual and been a reason for someone to smile.” Question: How much does being successful in the classroom help you on the football field? Answer: “It’s just all about me paving the way, that’s how I think about it. I think about the people coming after me, and I learn from the people that came before me. Student-athletes think they can’t take on these hard majors, no. If you want it, you can go get it and make time for the things you want. If your passion and your heart is there, go out and attack, go above and beyond to get the job done but at the end of the day you’re going to look back and smile.” Question: Why did you choose Florida? Answer: “Florida is the best of both worlds. Stellar in football, stellar academics, top five university in the country, you can’t beat that. For me while I was being recruited, you had to have an education system. It had to be just as stellar and that is why it came down to Stanford and the University of Florida. Stanford was my dream school growing up, I always cherished them. Richard Sherman was a huge factor in my life, I always looked up to him because he looked like me. Then I got down to it and I got admitted and went through the process and Florida just always had that aura about themselves that they had both for me. I could see myself balling out on the football field and balling out in the classroom. That’s why I chose Florida because we truly are the best of both worlds.” Question: What is your ideal linebacker position? Answer: “As far as right, it’s the Sam and the Jet. (In the) Sam, we go 21 personnel, two tight ends, one running back, and we are just that boundary outside linebacker.” Question: What was it like being the youngest of eight and having a family that size? Answer: “My siblings have always had my back; they’ve always believed in me. They paved the way for me to do the best I possibly can do. They are still in the Midwest in Chicago. We have a big family; my dad is the 10th out of 12. Of course, I got picked on, I had five brothers like “come on!”

'The season that awaits Florida fans is intriguing, but also possibly exciting and rewarding. Grab ahold of a few positives and see where The Land of Possibilities can take you.' THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT, BUT WHAT IS IT? By BUDDY MARTIN GatorBaitMedia.com Far be it from me to spoil Football Eve, that final weekend before merriment and jubilation emancipate us from summer doldrums and launch us into full celebratory mode of what was once Our Greatest Game. But I’m a little nervous about who’s minding the store – if, in fact, anybody is minding it. As that great gatekeeper/philosopher Steve Spurrier would say, however, “Here we go!” It’s coming up on August, the “Talkin’ Season” is over and the “Playin’ Season” starts with the arrival of Florida Gator practice on Tuesday. I promise -- if you’ll stick with me just a minute here – I’ll get back to the baptism of Billy Napier and the fortunes of his Florida Gator team. But just this one last expression of concern about The State of The College Football Union. It looks and feels like The Headless Horseman. Let’s leave that aside for the moment, however, and attend to family matters. Greg Sankey’s house is in good order. The SEC has never been stronger. It’s some of these inhouse squabbles that concern me. And in particular these throw-out-the-baby-with-the-bath-water renegades who won’t be satisfied until every last meaningful tradition has been torched. Which brings me to this: As a committed fan of college football, what do you most treasure? I keep coming back to that quote I once read in the London Times about dilletantes who “know the price of everything, but the value of nothing,” believed to have originated with Oscar Wilde in a script defining the meaning of “cynic.” Yes, I am afraid that we are leaning in that direction. In particular, it comes to mind today because of a recent narrative about why the Florida-Georgia game should be moved out of Jacksonville and become a Gainesville/Athens home-and-home series. Rather than answer that, let me ask another question: Why? I spent the better part of an afternoon on a deep-dive research of Florida-Georgia with perhaps the best source on the planet, a high-level executive who has been directly involved in the Fla-Ga rivalry for more than two decades – on BOTH sides. He can understand both points of view, but he also reminds us that this is now a $10-million game with deep roots that has been embraced as much by Bulldog fans as Gators. Pretty much, it ain’t broke. And please don’t use the feeble Kirby Smart excuse of “it hurts our recruiting.” Seems to me that system has worked fairly well for Georgia recently – unless his goal to sign every last 5-star on earth. We will save that argument for another day, since there are at least two more years to go on the Jax contract, and maybe four. There are 12 more weekends before Florida-Georgia game number 99 (or 100, says Georgia) is played. (By the way every game but two since 1934 has been played in Jacksonville.) However, don’t sleep on it -- don’t ignore the warning signs or dismiss them as saber-rattling. Florida-Georgia in Jax is somewhat in peril. Mainly because Kirby Smart says they lose a recruiting weekend due to the silly NCAA rule that disallows the courting of prospects on neutral sites. Let me see here … it’s OK for players to be paid … they are allowed to hopscotch from school to school … but they can’t get an expenses-paid trip to be hosted by a school? Seems to me that needs to be revised. Maybe because there are just three so-called “neutral site” regular season games left, counting Texas-Oklahoma in Dallas and Army-Navy in Philadelphia. (This just in: Kirby Smart suggests Christmas be canceled because it interferes with recruiting.) It just reminds me of how obsessed coaches have gotten. It also reminds me of the phrase used by my source as we talked about the careless treatment of our legacy. Who are these people? “Temporary place holders.” Exactly, and therein lies the danger. We’ll call ‘em TPHs. They are the true enemy. They will have blood on their hands if CFB dies. I have full confidence our Great Game will prosper despite them. * * * The season that awaits Florida fans is intriguing, but also possibly exciting and rewarding. Grab ahold of a few positives and see where The Land of Possibilities can take you. Here are a couple: As far as we know, there were no major off-the-field casualties for Napier – such as PEDs or credit card scandals. There was a roster “adjustment” with three deletions, including Florida A&M transfer Fenley Graham. There was a minor brush with the law over a speeding ticket for Anthony Richardson. Meanwhile there were some recruiting whiffs, but none that will show up this season and there is also some well-placed optimism over Friday Night Lights & Cookout. Insiders expect a spate of commits, including several flips. After three months of interviewing 19 football players with my colleagues Ben Troupe and Franz Beard, we have concluded that all but one (a transfer) have bought into the refreshing new program engineered by Napier and his “army.” It is a cursory look and small sample, but based on 30-minute-or-more conversations, we detected an upswing. I guess in economics that would be called consumer confidence. It is conceded by numerous sources around the SEC that Billy Napier is poised for a breakout campaign that could lead to a solid “era” at Florida. But it is also a startup romance for former Dan Mullen suitors whose mantra heeds them, “don’t fall in love on the first date.” There needs to be a reminder, however, that this is Florida – not Tennessee, or Kentucky, or South Carolina – and I’m not ready to concede second place in the SEC East just yet. I was looking at a list of the top records of SEC teams in the last 10 years the other day and remembered that despite the downturn of Gators’ fortunes, they still have the fifth best league record behind Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Texas A & M. And three of those teams won national titles in the last decade. Also, while you’re at it, the last time UF had back-to-back losing seasons was the final year of the Doug Dickey Era (4-7) and first year of Charlie Pell (0-10-1.) Prior to that you’ve got to go back to the mid-1940s if the so-called “Golden Era” when they spit up six straight losing campaigns. Lest we forget. Another positive note: Six of the first seven Gator games this season are played in The Swamp, Most of us agree that while championship aspirations this year are unrealistic, Napier should have his team ready to compete for an SEC title soon. If not this season, then perhaps next. And whatever cast of players he shapes and molds for 2024. May I also remind you that all three Florida nattys came on even years. Make of that what you will.

A few thoughts to jump start your Thursday morning: THOSE STEADILY DEPRESSING LOW DOWN MIND MESSING COVID BLUES Can any conference match the SEC for quarterbacks top to bottom? Top to bottom, there isn’t a conference in the country with the quarterback talent found in the SEC this year. There are 12 QBs with star power including the returning Heisman Trophy winner. Of the 12, only four (Bryce Young, K.J. Jefferson, Anthony Richardson and Will Rogers) are the only non-transfers. Stetson Bennett began his career at Georgia then spent a year at a junior college before returning to Georgia. Here is a rundown of the best 12 quarterbacks in the SEC for 2022. Bryce Young, Alabama (6-0, 194, JR): What does he do for an encore? While winning the Heisman Trophy last year, he led Bama to an SEC title and the national championship game. He threw for 4,872 yards (8.9 per attempt) and 47 TDs (7 picks) despite being sacked 41 times. Alabama is everyone’s favorite to win the national title this year which would certainly put Young in the conversation to become just the second player in history to win back-to-back Heismans. K.J. Jefferson, Arkansas (6-3, 242, RJR): Given his size and speed (4.57 in the 40), Jefferson has a chance to move into first round consideration when the NFL drafts next spring. While leading Arkansas to a surprising 9-4 record last year, his first year as the starter, Jefferson threw for 2,676 yards (9.1 per attempt) and 21 touchdowns (4 picks) while completing 67.3 percent of his passes. He also ran for 664 yards (4.5 per carry) and six more TDs. Zach Calzada, Auburn (6-4, 208, SO): He stepped in for injured Haynes King and led Texas A&M to an 8-4 record last year which included an upset win over Alabama. Now he’s at Auburn where he won the starting job in the spring. Last season, Calzada threw for 2,185 yards (6.7 per attempt) and 17 touchdowns (9 picks), while completing 56.3 percent of his passes. Anthony Richardson, Florida (6-4, 240, RSO): Richardson may have more pure ability than any quarterback in the league, but he’s also the most inexperienced among the top QBs in the SEC with only 220 snaps in his career. He has to have a big year for the Gators to do anything more than break even. Last year as a redshirt freshman, Richardson battled injuries but completed 39-66 passes (59.4 percent) for 556 yards (8.3 per attempt) for six touchdowns (5 picks). He ran for 401 yards (7.9 per carry) and three touchdowns. Stetson Bennett, Georgia (5-11, 190, SR): Everybody keeps picking on Stetson Bennett but for someone who’s not supposed to be very good, he did win a national championship while throwing for 2,862 yards (10.0 per attempt) and 29 touchdowns (7 picks) while completing 64.5 percent of his passes. He also ran for 259 yards (4.6 per carry) and a TD. Maybe he will get some respect if he leads Georgia to another College Football Playoff. Will Levis, Kentucky (6-3, 232, SR): He’s gone from Penn State backup to a decent year at UK to the point where some pro scouts think he could be the first QB taken in the draft next spring. At UK last year, he threw for 2,826 yards (8.0 per attempt) and 24 TDs (13 picks) while completing 66 percent of his passes. He also ran for 376 yards and nine TDs. His career numbers counting Penn State are 3,470 passing yards (7.6 per attempt) for 27 TDs (13 picks) and 64.6 percent completions. He has run for 849 yards (3.5 per attempt) and 15 touchdowns. Jayden Daniels, LSU (6-3, 200, JR): Unless Myles Brennan stays healthy and wins the job in August, Daniels will be the starter. He was a highly coveted transfer from Arizona State where he started three years as a dual threat for Herm Edwards. At Arizona State he threw for 6,025 yards (8.3 per attempt) and 32 TDs (13 picks), while completing 62.4 percent of his passes. He ran for 1,288 yards (4.4 per carry) and 13 touchdowns. Will Rogers, Mississippi State (6-2, 210, JR): This is one to watch since Mike Leach quarterbacks typically have an explosive third year in his Air Raid system. Last year, his second with Leach, Rogers threw for 4,739 yards (6.9 per attempt) and 36 touchdowns (9 picks). He completed 73.9 percent of his passes. In two years, Rogers has thrown for 6,715 yards (6.5 per attempt) and 47 touchdowns (16 picks) while completing 72.3 percent of his passes. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss (6-2, 220, SO): Dart transferred in from Southern Cal where he was effective as a part-time starter. In six games at Southern Cal, Dart threw for 1,353 yards (7.2 per attempt) and nine touchdowns (5 picks). He completed 61.9 percent of his passes. Dart should thrive in Lane Kiffin’s offense. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina (6-1, 215, RJR): Rattler is a high profile transfer from Oklahoma expected to inject plenty of excitement into the South Carolina offense where he is already the unquestioned leader. In his only full season as a starter at Oklahoma, Rattler threw for 3,031 yards (9.6 per attempt) and 28 touchdowns while rushing for six more TDs. He completed 67.5 percent of his passes. He was the Heisman front-runner starting 2021 but was benched in the Texas game. Still, in limited action in nine games, he threw for 1,483 yards (7.9 per attempt) while completing 74.9 percent of his passes for 11 touchdowns (5 picks). His career numbers are 4,595 passing yards (8.9 per attempt), 70.1 percent completions and 40 TDPs (12 picks). Hendon Hooker, Tennessee (6-4, 218, RSR): At 25, Hooker is the oldest QB in the SEC. He wasn’t the starter at the beginning of 2021 – Joe Milton was for reasons no one seems to know – but once he took over the UT offense began to click. Hooker, who has excellent size and runs a 4.7 40, threw for 2,945 yards (9.7 per attempt) and 31 touchdowns (3 picks) last season while completing 68 percent of his passes. He also ran for 616 yards (3.7 per carry) and five touchdowns. Career numbers for his three years at Virginia Tech and UT are 5,839 passing yards (9.5 per attempt) for 53 touchdowns (10 picks). He has also run for 1,649 yards (4.0 per carry) and 20 touchdowns. Max Johnson, Texas A&M (6-5, 219, JR: Johnson surprisingly transferred from LSU in the spring. Barring injury, he will be the starter when the season begins. Last season at LSU he threw for 2,815 yards (7.5 per attempt) and 27 touchdowns (6 picks) while completing 60.3 percent of his passes. His 2-year numbers at LSU were 3,884 passing yards (7.4 per attempt), 35 touchdowns (7 picks) and 59.8 percent completions. Jimbo actually said this While appearing on the Colin Cowherd radio show, Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher unveiled his most recent recruiting pitch. After basically confirming to the world that only God and the Longhorns have more money than the Aggies, Jimbo offered this up: “Here’s the important thing: Do you want to go someplace that’s won a national championship or do you want to be the first to do it? The people you remember, the guys that really made a difference in the world, are the guys that are the first to do it. If you go somewhere else and just be another guy, you’ll just be another guy. Come here and be the first guy to ever do it and set the standard for a new organization. Those are the ones that have statues outside that you talk about all the time.” Here are four takeaways from that statement: (1) Jimbo should check his history. The Aggies won the national championship in 1939, so if he ever wins one at A&M, it will be the second. (2) Since Bobby Bowden won two at Florida State before Jimbo succeeded him as the HBC, does this mean they will never erect a statue of him outside Doak Campbell Stadium? (3) The Aggies have never even won the Western Division since they joined the SEC in 2012, much less the SEC title or a national title. Shouldn’t he be selling recruits on being the first ones to ever beat Alabama, Auburn or LSU for the division title? (4) Since Jimbo has been the head coach in Aggieland, Nick Saban, Ed Orgeron and Kirby Smart have all won national championships. Kevin Warren actually said this … The Big Ten commissioner, who spearheaded “The Alliance” to torpedo expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams, is now trying to show off his pragmatic side (inject any amount of sarcasm you wish). The same guy who along with stooges George Kliavkoff (Pac-12) and Little Jimmy Phillips (ACC) expressed concerns about the length of the season, the physical toll on players, interfering with academic progress and on and on, wants us now to believe he was for playoff expansion all along. “I’m 100 percent supportive of playoff expansion,” Warren said Tuesday at Big Ten Media Days. Then he added, “We need to take a holistic view. We need to make sure we protect some of the critical bowl relationships.” Hold it right there. The guy who, for all practical purposes, just destroyed the tradition of the Rose Bowl is talking about protecting bowl relationships? Oh please. But there was more. “As we work through all of these, whether it’s automatic qualifiers, whatever the case may be, I’m confident as we get these new individuals in the room, get these new issues on the table, that we’ll be able to reach some resolution. And again, make sure we ask ourselves the right questions at the right time for our student-athlete.” One ACC athletic director, speaking to Matt Hayes of Saturday Down South, sounded like he had just barfed up a lung when the subject of Warren now and Warren a year ago was presented. “He knows what he said and what he sold a year ago,” the AD told Hayes. “It just doesn’t matter. He’ll just tell you another story.” Mizzo coach Eli Drinwitz takes a shot at the Vols When the NCAA rolled out its list of Tennessee woes last week, the 18 Level I violations included allegations that Casey Pruitt, wife of former UT coach Jeremy Pruitt, was up to her dainty little elbows in the cheating that went on in Knoxville. That led Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz to offer this zinger while on The Jim Rome Show Wednesday: “Me, personally, I gotta question my wife’s commitment to winning. I don’t know how much she’s committed if she’s not engaging in some of these things. I didn’t know that was fair play.” ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I wish conference realignments had to make geographical sense. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around West Virginia in the Big 12, Nebraska joining the Big Ten, Maryland leaving the ACC for the Big Ten and why there is no such thing as the Southwest Conference or the Big Eight anymore. I grew up loving the Nebraska-Oklahoma game but that’s no more. When I was a sports editor in North Carolina, I loved when Maryland came to Tobacco Road for basketball. I’m still bothered that the Gators don’t play Miami every year in football. Times change and because of television contracts and realignment, rivalries disappear. I understand that but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.

A few thoughts to jump start your Wednesday morning: ABBREVIATED VERSION: THINGS THAT COVID MAKES ME THINK ABOUT Thirty-nine days until the first football game but who’s counting? It was 96 degrees in Gainesville Tuesday. With the 85 percent humidity it felt like 107, 102 in the shade. In Salt Lake City Tuesday it was 92. The humidity was 9 percent. Now fast forward 39 days. The Utah Utes will be in Gainesville for their September 3 close encounter with the Gators. Accuweather says we can expect 89 degrees with expected thunderstorms that day so that means the humidity will be 80 percent or thereabouts by game time. In other words, if you aren’t used to rivers of sweat you might think you’re going to die of heat stroke by the middle of the first quarter. I remember September 18, 1999 like it was yesterday. Tennessee came to Gainesville having won 14 consecutive games including a 13-0 run to the national championship in 1998. The week before the game, the Vols talked about how overrated the humidity was. Why it was hot in Knoxville, too! They had fans and all sorts of machinery on their sideline that night just to prove the Vols weren’t going to be affected by the humidity. By the end of the first quarter even the Vols on the sidelines were soaked all the way through their uniforms. That was the Alex Brown game. Tee Martin still hears the footsteps. Jamal Lewis was gagging before halftime. I have this gut feeling that Brenton Cox Jr. is going to have an Alex Brown kind of game on September 3. I also have a feeling the Utes are going to be thinking they’ll be ready for heaven when they die because they will have sampled hell during this visit to The Swamp thanks to the combination of heat and humidity. In the fourth quarter, Florida’s massive offensive line is going to be doing the old ground and pound. Imagine a right side of O’Cyrus Torrence (6-6, 340) and Jordan Herman (6-8, 370) grinding it out with Montrell Johnson, Lorenzo Lingard, Nay’Quan Wright and Trevor Etienne taking turns gashing a Ute defense that wonders if there is enough ice in all the world to cool them down. It could happen. Was Tennessee really that virtuous in self-reporting all those violations? Oh, but the Vols are taking a victory lap for NCAA compliance for turning themselves in to the NCAA over the Jeremy Pruitt fiasco. They were so brave, weren’t they? Virtuously falling on the sword after “discovering” all those Level I violations. Why, even Paul Finebaum is saying because they turned themselves in and helped the NCAA with its investigation that UT will get slaps on the wrist and Pruitt at least 10 years of show cause. I question the virtue of the UT athletic department. First and foremost, I just don’t think Pruitt would have been fired and UT would have turned itself in if the Vols had gone 7-3 in 2020 instead of 3-7 with five blowout losses. There was just as much innuendo about a whole heap of cheating going on in 2019 but the Vols went 8-5 and won their last six games. So why didn’t they self-investigate then? Well, we know the answer to that. It’s because they legitimately thought they could unseat Georgia as the best team in the East in 2020 except that the season went south. To fire Pruitt without cause would have cost UT $12.6 million of buyout money, but by turning themselves in to the NCAA, firing Pruitt and then leading the men in blue suits to where Pruitt buried all the skeletons, the Vols will get off with ZERO buyout money. Even if they get a bowl ban, that won’t cost more than $2-3 million so the net savings will be $9-10 million. So consider me a skeptic. I’m not buying the holier than thou explanation that UT did the right thing because it was the right thing to do. This was a calculated financial gamble and the only way it will backfire is if the NCAA, in its infinite wisdom, elects to drop the hammer on Tennessee football with harsh scholarship reductions and a multi-year bowl ban. I remember November 10, 1973 Since I led this column with a weather statement, my memory has been jogged. November 10, 1973. Happy Valley. Penn State 35, North Carolina State 29. Cold. Freezing cold. Snow accumulating on a frozen field cold. John Cappelletti running 41 times for 220 yards to seal the Heisman Trophy while the Wolfpack defenders slipped and slid all over the place cold. Why is that important? That was early November. Now think November 2024. Either UCLA or Southern Cal flies into Happy Valley, leaving the 75-degree sunshine of Los Angeles for State College, PA and it turns cold. Tundra cold in Happy Valley. Maybe something similar happens in Minneapolis where Minnesota feels right at home when the gales of November come early or in East Lansing or Ann Arbor. At least half of the games on the Southern Cal or UCLA schedule will be roadies in the Big Ten. Certainly, not all of the road games will be front loaded for September and October when the weather is mild in the Midwest. November just might be a killer. Notre Dame will get a mega-deal and remain independent You can all but take this to the bank. Notre Dame will get a mega-deal whether it is NBC, CBS or one of the streaming services. The Irish have already set the opening bid at $75 million and because NBC has been a loyal partner for the past 20 years, NBC will have the first shot at a broadcast deal. If NBC balks, someone else will take the deal and Notre Dame will remain independent. The Irish will have no problems scheduling, either. If the Big Ten schools don’t want to schedule Notre Dame, you can bet the farm Greg Sankey will offer to include Notre Dame in future scheduling. Remember this boys and girls: Greg Sankey and Notre Dame hold all the keys here, not the Big Ten or any other league. For now, the Big Ten will hold at 16 teams Follow the logic here: (1) The Big Ten isn’t going to get Notre Dame. (2) The Big Ten won’t expand again until the Pac-12 fails to land a decent TV contract. (3) When that happens, Oregon, Washington, California and Stanford will join the Big Ten. (4) When that happens the Big 12 will expand by adding Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah. (5) The SEC will do absolutely nothing because it won’t have to do anything. Alex Hickey, writing in Saturday Tradition, offered this: “A year after touting an Alliance with the ACC and Pac-12, (Big Ten commissioner Kevin) Warren made it clear that there are no allies in this world. The B1G is doing its own thing with little regard to how it affects the rest of the collegiate landscape.” Translation: It is only a matter of time before Warren finishes gutting the Pac-12. I’m not buying the hype on … Tennessee: The Vols beat only one team that finished more than a game over .500 last year. This year the Vols play Florida, LSU and Alabama on consecutive weeks and later have back-to-back Kentucky and Georgia. They also have to play Pittsburgh and South Carolina on the road. 6-6 if they’re lucky. Miami: The Hurricanes have to play the Aggies in College Station, Clemson in Death Valley plus Virginia Tech and Virginia on the road. Notre Dame: Everybody is gaga over Marcus Freeman, who doesn’t have a quarterback. There are four losses on that schedule: Ohio State, BYU, Clemson and Southern Cal. Oregon: Bo Nix will be the quarterback. Any questions? Cincinnati: They lost eight players to the NFL including their quarterback. Not good. Texas A&M: Jimbo is 34-14 after four years. Dan Mullen was 34-15. Think about it. ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: If I were not already convinced the NCAA’s sell-by date expired long ago, then new proposed transfer legislation has convinced me that it’s time for all the Division I football schools to FLEE as fast as they can. Set up shop. Form a football division completely independent of the NCAA. Write a new rulebook that makes sensible, enforceable rules. Make a player getting an NIL deal BEFORE he has been on campus for one academic year ineligible. Any transfer who doesn’t have at least a 2.5 GPA has to sit a year. Make Greg Sankey the commissioner of college football and give him Pete Rozelle powers. NCAA approving multiple transfers without sitting is insanity just as the current NIL rules (there are none) make no sense. FLEE. Leave the NCAA. NOW.

“Most important of those hires could be the addition of Rob Sale of the New York Giants as offensive coordinator…” By LOREN MEADOWS GatorBaitMedia.com Football Analyst For the third time since 2014, the Florida Gators have hired a new head coach. Billy Napier brings a buttoned-up CEO type style to a program that has been moderately successful since its last SEC title in 2008. Napier also is the third successive Florida hire that brings a certain offensive pedigree to Gainesville following offensive (or supposed) gurus Jim McElwain and Dan Mullen. However, unlike the previous coaches Napier has hired a number of accomplished, respected coaches on the offensive side of the ball as well as an “army” of analysts to create an informative advantage that will assist in dictating weekly offensive game plans. Most important of those hires could be the addition of Rob Sale of the New York Giants as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Sale will be assisted by former Super Bowl starter Darnell Stapleton. He brings a high level of expectations to a maligned unit. Sale, who served as offensive coordinator at Louisiana from 2018-2020, will be charged with eliminating many of the miscues that plagued the Gators in 2021 as well as working to develop efficiency on third down and the red zone. In previous stops at Clemson, Colorado State, Alabama, and Arizona State, Napier was part of a number of offensive systems that were extremely sound and efficient during his tenure. When looking at Napier’s offense at Louisiana you can see parts of each philosophy put to use in effective ways to create an extremely successful offensive attack that led to three straight 10-win seasons in Lafayette. During his time at Louisiana, Napier incorporated Colorado State’s traditional tight end and H-Back pro schemes, Alabama’s RPO’s (run-pass options), and the outside zone to produce a quarterback friendly offense that minimized turnovers and stressed running the ball effectively. In 2021, Napier’s Louisiana offense averaged 31.4 points per game with a 414-yard per game average. The run game was the focus of the Louisiana offense with 57 percent of Louisiana’s plays being on the ground. Louisiana’s ground game produced 202 yards per game to go along with 34 touchdowns. The effective ground game would allow Napier to effectively use play action to assist his signal callers. Louisiana’s quarterbacks would throw 22 touchdowns compared to only four interceptions which would rank fourth nationally in percentage of interceptions per pass play at 1.08 percent. With the commitment to the run game expected to continue at Florida, look for the Gators to utilize the 11 (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR) and 12 (1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR) personnel groupings in their formations. This will give the offense the flexibility to play to the strength of its personnel which is beneficial in both the run and pass game. The ability to run the ball will be key as Napier and Sale will look to gain an advantage at the line of scrimmage in order to allow other parts of the offense to flourish. The Gators will imply facets of the outside zone, multiple counters using tight ends and tackles, as well as some inside zone to establish the run game. Success in the run game will allow the Gators to utilize play-action, bootleg, and run-pass options to challenge opposing linebackers and safeties eye discipline. Pre-snap shifts and motions will add to the “window dressing” that will assist in both the run and pass game. Most important could be what role the offense can play in the positive development of projected starter Anthony Richardson, a gifted physical talent who looks to be the next great QB at the University of Florida. Once again, the ultimate challenge is putting the plan to practice. Will the Florida offense eliminate the mistakes that plagued them in 2021 causing crippling losses, or will they take the step toward national prominence with an exceptional talent at the helm? Pros of the Florida Offense: Window Dressing--With the utilization of multiple tight ends, along with pre-snap shifts and motions the Gators will give the opposing defense a lot of information to process while simultaneously giving clues to the quarterback how to proceed. While the defense reacts to shifts -- which are sometimes followed by motion -- the quarterback will be given clues to what defense may be played in the secondary as well as tipping off blitzes and stunts. The QB Position--This is less about the who and more about the what. The Gator offense will be tailored to provide the quarterback with as much pre-snap information as possible. Motions and shifts could provide advantages in both the run and pass game. The Gators will utilize passing concepts including multiple ways to flood an area as well as RPO’s that should allow the quarterback simple reads allowing them to play freely and make efficient decisions. The Offensive Guards--Even though the Gators could possibly utilize the outside zone more than any other run play, it will be the prospective guard tandem of Ethan White and O’Cyrus Torrence who could play a major role in the Gator offense. White has made possibly the greatest transformation of any Gator player over the last four years, working to make himself a potential NFL draft pick. Torrence, an All-Sun Belt performer, is one of the nation’s best at his position. The run game is only as good as its middle and the ability for the Gator backs to utilize the one cut philosophy could rest on the rush lanes these two could help create. Efficiency--What should be evident from the first game against Utah is that this offense will be a more disciplined unit. The multiple false starts and penalties that would kill positive drives and literally take points off the board will hopefully be eliminated by Napier and his offensive staff. Napier and Sale consistently took their offense to task for unnecessary penalties and mistakes. This attention to detail should lend itself to an efficient offense that no longer beats itself and executes an efficient sound offense. Special Teams Partner--This is not necessarily a function of the offense. Napier has placed huge importance on the role special teams can play in the outcome of the game. The Gators special teams will be key in establishing field position allowing the offense to put as many points on the board as they possibly can. Cons of the Florida Offense Wasted Tight Ends--While there has been much talk about how the tight end position will be utilized under Sale and Napier it is in the run game where you see that usage. In 2021, of the three tight ends Louisiana played, only one ranked in the top ten on the team in catches scoring one touchdown. With no clear number one receiver, will the tight end position play more prominent in the pass game or will they only be used as blockers on the edge? Florida has talent at the position and if healthy the tight ends could really help in the development of the offense. No Big Dawg Wideout--While the Gators return receivers with 110 catches, there is no clear-cut number one receiver that has proven to be consistent matchup nightmare for defenses. Justin Shorter, Xzavier Henderson and Trent Whittemore take the throne and dominate on a weekly basis. Was the quarterback play the reason this unit failed to flourish in 2021? The addition of transfer Ricky Pearsall (Arizona State) could provide the unit with a new big-play threat. O-Line Depth--Once again, the run game will be a major point of emphasis. The depth of the offensive line will play a major role in the consistency over the course of the season. The prospective group of Richard Gouraige, Ethan White, Kingsley Eguakun, O’Cyrus Torrence, and Josh Braun look to be a solid first unit. However, SEC conference play can be extremely challenging. The health of the offensive line along with emergence of four to five backups will be key. Backup Plan--The thought by many is that Anthony Richardson and his immense physical talents will be the engine that makes the offense go. Unfortunately, Richardson has shown an inability to stay healthy. With an offense that could depend on his ability to sometimes go “off script” and at let his talent take over, should he not be available against some of the Gators toughest opponents the Gators would take a major step back in the playmaking department. Who Moves the Ball Richardson, Quarterback--From speeding tickets to nickname changes, in 2022 the lights will shine brightest on this Gainesville native. Richardson will be expected to perform at a high level on a consistent basis. As athletically gifted as any quarterback to play at Florida, will Richardson show improvement as a passer and grasp the entire offense under Napier and Sale? Montrell Johnson, Running Back--Johnson was the Sunbelt Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2021 when he rushed for 838 yards and 12 touchdowns in his first season in Lafayette. Now in Gainesville, Johnson showed promise for an easy transition to SEC football this spring. His previous knowledge of the system and coaches should lead to Johnson playing meaningful snaps for the Gators early. Nay’quan Wright, Running Back--Wright has played a solid role the last two years for the Gators. His versatility as a runner and pass catcher (12.8-yard average in 2021) will give Napier and staff the ability to use Wright in different ways on offense. Injured for most of spring practice, Wright impressed position coach Jabbar Juluke with his leadership ability and willingness to take solid mental reps. O’Cyrus Torrence, Offensive Guard--In 2022 at Louisiana, Torrence was the second highest rated Group of 5 lineman according to Pro Football Focus. At 6-5, 247 pounds, Torrence is as gifted as he is physically imposing. If Torrence can adjust to SEC play, look for him to possibly play himself into the first day of the NFL draft and garnish SEC conference honors. At Louisiana, Torrence was part of an offensive line that only allowed 1.86 sacks per game. Justin Shorter, Wide Receiver--Shorter was the top receiver in his class in 2017. Since then he played sparingly at Penn State and has enjoyed moderate success since transferring to Florida in 2020. Shorter is a physical presence at the receiver position and worked in the spring to fine tune his game and take the next step in his development. Look for new receiver coach Kerry Colbert to play a major role in whether Shorter becomes one of the SEC’s best pass catchers. Ricky Pearsall, Wide Receiver--2021 was a breakout year for the Arizona State transfer. Pearsall’s 48 catches for 580 yards led all Sun Devil receivers last season. Pearsall brings physicality and run after the catch ability to Gainesville. His arrival should give the Gators another versatile weapon that could help the screen and return games. Vince Lombardi once said, “Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work.” While the Florida offense is not packed with a ton of household names, a commitment to execution and sound play could allow its many moving parts to produce positive results. After a mistake-filled season that could have still cultivated winning results, it will be interesting to see what a little discipline and attention to detail can do for this offense.

Ricky Pearsall, a wide-receiver transfer from Arizona State, has already turned a lot of heads early. Pearsall recently just got awarded the coveted Florida No. 1 jersey, an honor which must be earned each season. By KYLE CURTIS GatorBaitMedia.com In an off-season of change in not only the Florida Gator football program but all of the NCAA, Florida fans have been looking for some stability. Since Billy Napier has arrived in Gainesville, he has made it a point to establish change throughout the program. With the change, comes departure. Not only the Gators, but programs all over the country are falling victim (and also benefiting) from the transfer portal. Most recently, former five-star running back Demarckus Bowman transferred to UCF to join former Gator Kemore Gamble. Bowman received plenty of touches in the Spring game, although fumbling twice. In a loaded running back room, Bowman was going to be fighting for touches all year. Additionally, due to Billy Napier being a first-year head coach, he is allowed to dismiss previously instated scholarship players from the program. Although, the players are allowed to stay on campus and remain under scholarship if they wish (NCAA Bylaw 15.5.1.7). The Florida coach was sitting at 90 scholarship players while having to whittle it down to 85. Safety Mordecai McDaniel, defensive lineman Chris Thomas, receiver/special teams specialist Fenley Graham and receiver Marcus Burke were all released from the program. They have all since entered the transfer portal and have Billy Napier in position with his 85 scholarship players ready to suit up. On a good note, the Gators had a productive off-season in terms of transfer portal pickups. Ricky Pearsall, a wide-receiver transfer from Arizona State, has already turned a lot of heads early. Pearsall recently just got awarded the coveted Florida No. 1 jersey, an honor which must be earned each season. Additionally, Napier also brought over talent from his Top 25 Rajun Cajuns from last season. All-American interior lineman O’Cyrus Torrence and all Sun Belt running back Montrel Harris will compliment Anthony Richardson in the backfield and in pass protection. Pearsall will look to fill in for the loss of Jacob Copeland this season. Copeland entered the transfer portal shortly after the conclusion of last season and is now enrolled at Maryland. In this new era of college football, the transfer portal is something that fans and coaches are going to have to become accustomed to. Napier talked about the state of the transfer portal and how it is viewed in the college football landscape. “I think that it’s a little bit like NFL free agency to some degree except when a team maybe overpays, there’s no cap penalty going forward,” Napier said (Gatorswire.com). The way Napier compares the transfer portal in today’s game speaks volumes of where it truly stands. The new norm in college football is here. Looking from a different parameter, this also changes the recruiting game. Now high-school players who are between two schools and end up transferring later in their college career leave the door open for school B to sweep in. In an interesting but exciting time for college football, the additions and departures of the Florida Gators this off season will have the Gators in fine shape when the ball gets kicked off against Utah opening night.

'Know his daddy would be proud,' wrote Tony Barnhart, thinking along those same lines as me. As Billy Napier stood there is his shiny royal blue suit and blazing orange tie, sporting that 1950s retro summer buzz cut, it must have felt like he’d just stuck the landing. Given his coaching heritage, he was accepting the mantle as Florida coach while simultaneously honoring his father. It was a powerful connection. This was the moment he had prepared for all his life. Had Billy thought about it, he probably would have also mentioned his last name first – “Napier” -- as his father also taught him. Clearly, though, Billy was thinking about his paternal hero, and could feel his spiritual presence. Gagging just a bit, eyes glistening as a reporter asked him about Bill Napier Sr., remarking jovially: “Y’all are trying to get me.” Today, just about 24 hours ahead of his 43rd birthday, Napier was a walk-on. He walked on to the center stage of the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta Wednesday in his light brown dress shoes and planted them firmly in the middle of the SEC footprint as Florida’s 29th head football coach. He was there to “represent,” just as his father had taught him. Atlanta was not new territory, even though Gainesville is. He flashed on the memory of his dad dropping him off in the ATL. “I grew up two hours north of here,” he said. “Anytime my dad would drop me off, he would always ask us what our name was. We’d say our last name. We’d represent …” There was a little hitch in his voice and perhaps a hint of moisture in his eye as the new Gator coach addressed other questions about his late father, Billy’s acknowledged idol. His dad was a career high school coach who spent his last 26 years at Murray County High in Chatsworth – the last few in a wheelchair – before dying of ALS in September 2017. At the time Billy was an assistant at Arizona State. He coached practice that day in Tempe. Five years and three months later Bill Napier’s son was named Florida’s 29th head football coach. As he spoke in Atlanta, I thought about some of the things we’ve read and heard about Coach Napier of Murray High and the inspirational way he finished up. In his first press conference after being hired at Florida, Billy had spoken of his father’s impact, how his courage had inspired him to become a better coach, better husband, better father. “My dad died from ALS, right? I think that his ability to handle and manage that with impeccable character. He didn’t flinch,” Napier said. “The impressive thing was that his foundation was his faith, so the example he set for not only me – heck, he inspired a lot of people – I think that changed my approach.” One report in particular in David Whitley’s column in the Gainesville Sun resonated with me: “Bill relied on a golf cart to get around practice. As his condition deteriorated, he’d call plays from a wheelchair. He established a scholarship endowment that helped Murray County athletes go to college. “When Bill became too weak to coach, he’d still sent out a group text message — inspirational sayings or Bible verses — to about 400 people every day. “One message he’d always preach was, ‘Go out there and represent.’” “Represent.” And that’s what his oldest son was doing Wednesday in the triumphant-but-sad moment for the 42-year-old, Tennessee-born, Georgia-raised former Furman quarterback. He must have felt like weeping tears of joy while wanting to spike the ball right in the middle of the SEC logo next to “It Means More.” Right then, nothing could have meant more to a guy who already oozed with gratitude about everything these days, spreading joy like Johnny Appleseed. When he talks about the pride of being the head coach of the Florida Gators, it sounds and feels authentic. Unlike others who might have served at UF in the past, some giving the impression they wanted to grab a buyout check and catch the first thing smokin’ out of Hogtown. From that standpoint, Billy Napier’s first official act at Florida was a success. So it’s 1-0, right? I texted a few media friends attending in Atlanta and asked them to give me a half dozen words of their reaction to Napier’s introductory performance: “Know his daddy would be proud,” wrote Tony Barnhart, thinking along those same lines as me. “Calm, cool and very smart start,” texted Paul Finebaum. “Nick Saban’s mini me,” wrote Matt Moscona of ESPN Baton Rouge/New Orleans. “Business as usual on center stage,” said Scott Carter of FloridaGators.com. Let me be clear: Winning the press conference at SEC Media Days is not going to make you Coach of the Year or give you a new contract. It does set the tone, however, for the season’s launch. And in this case, with the almost all-brand new approach and a massive “army” of helpers, the mental outlook is critical. Especially with a promising young quarterback who appears to be on track to improving and maturing. Anthony Richardson was one of three Gators tagging along for media days, looking sartorially splendid along with teammates Ventrell Miller and Richard Gouraige. “I ordered it from Amazon,” the man formerly known as AR-15 told the press about his suit. In addition to dropping the assault rifle moniker, AR-2022 (whatever number works?) also explained that he no longer was driving that speedy Dodge Charger that ran away with him at 130 mph one morning and got him busted for speeding. He’s traded it in for a more docile Toyota. Looks like Napier has been effective at coaching his star players off the field. Now let’s see what kind of results he can get ON the field. That’s where he really needs to “represent.”

Sterlin Thompson is getting drafted by the team of his dreams -- to the actual Colorado Rockies! -- with pick No. 31 in the MLB Draft. On one of the most important nights of Sterlin Thompson’s life, I was lucky enough to be able to share it with him. By KYLE CURTIS GatorBaitMedia.com In 2012, the Montreal Expos played the Colorado Rockies at Scott Carrigan Ballpark in Ocala, Florida. I happened to be on the Expos, as an eleven-year-old all I thought was how neat the old school uniforms were rather than the game at hand. On the opposing team was a kid by the name of Sterlin Thompson who had already had multiple no-hitters by this point in the youth baseball season, Thompson had established a reputation within the community. Along with being a stellar pitcher at this age, he also displayed power that we’d never seen. He added another no-hitter to his 11-year-old resume that night against my Expos. Fast forward to 2022, Sterlin Thompson is getting drafted to the actual Colorado Rockies with pick No. 31 in the MLB Draft. On one of the most important nights of Sterlin Thompson’s life, I was lucky enough to be able to share it with him. Draft night was held at the World Equestrian Center, Ocala’s newest addition. It was full of friends and family and some nerves leading up to his name ultimately being called. “I would love to be a part of the Colorado Rockies,” Thompson said to me hours before the draft even started. In the early part of the night, nerves began to settle in. As a friend of Sterlin since the first night we interacted at Scott Carrigan Field in Ocala, this is the most I had ever seen him let the moment get to him. Walk-offs against Florida State, clutch RBIs or even just making the routine ground ball play, nothing could have prepared him for this moment. A life-changing moment nonetheless, there wasn’t more of a perfect ending. Thompson was born in Denver and grew up cheering for Rockies’ legends such as Troy Tulowitzki. After receiving the call and returning back to the room where all of the people who helped shaped his baseball career were waiting anxiously as well, you were able to see the relief and excitement in Thompson’s eyes. It was a vicarious thrill for me, sharing this moment. I knew that I would never experience anything like this ever again. A childhood friend I have seen evolve into one of the nation’s top athletes and see his dreams come true is something that is hard to put into words, even for a writer. Once Thompson’s name was announced on ESPN the room exploded with cheers and hugs for a kid who has always done it the right way. Then it sunk in. Thompson embraced his mother and was fulfilled with all different kinds of emotions. Everything his parents had sacrificed and all the work he had put in had finally paid off. On a night I will truly never forget, it still amazes me how a kid who played at the same ballpark as me while we were growing up made his dream come true. And I was able to share it. One more note, on that night when I initially faced Sterlin Thompson in my sky-blue Expo’s uniform, I vividly remember thinking that this kid with the sports goggles and unreal bat is going to do something special one day. I was only eleven, but even then, I knew Thompson’s potential and the kind of kid he was.

A few thoughts to jump start your Thursday morning: Abbreviated VA Emergency Room Edition As we await an opportunity for the doctors to examine my stepfather (Sempir Fi!), there is wifi and a charging station, therefore I can write as long as the former Army Ranger with the foot that’s swollen the size of a tractor trailer tire doesn’t let out a blood curdling scream. THE BILLY SHOW AT SEC MEDIA DAYS Okay, so there wasn’t a single giggle to be had in Billy Napier’s 30-minutes at the mic at SEC Media Days in Atlanta Wednesday afternoon. You were expecting Jeff Foxworthy explaining that you might be a Tennessee Vol if you’ve ever asked the girl sitting next to you in a bar if those are her natural teeth or storebought? There will be time for Napier to become a bit more entertaining in the future, but for Wednesday he accomplished exactly what he set out to do. He sounded calm and self-assured without a hint of Dan Mullen cockiness or Jim McElwain smugness. He was confident, well-organized and not the least bit awed by being Florida’s fourth football coach since 2011. The last time the Gators won a national/SEC championship was 2008. The last time they were truly national championship contenders was 2009. There have been a few years of success since then but each of the three previous coaches sustained at least one losing season. This after going from 1980-2012 without a single losing record. Based on Florida’s last 16 games (6-10 record) there are no through the roof expectations for Napier’s first Florida team. He inherits a roster that doesn’t lack for talent but does come up short when it comes to experience and every bit as important, discipline. A disciplined Florida team wouldn’t have left wins on the field against Alabama, Kentucky and LSU. And that’s why the time between now and the season opener with Utah in The Swamp on September 3 will go a long way toward setting the tone for the rest of the 2022 season. “The next 40 days will be critical,” Napier said. “We're going to work hard on developing the personality, the identity of this team. The daily approach, right? The self-discipline, the habits, the choices, focus that's required to be an exceptional player and have an exceptional team, and ultimately build habits.” Imagine that. A team with self-discipline that has good work habits, makes good choices and is focused. Those characteristics were in short supply last year, which, of course, is why Mullen isn’t the head coach anymore and why Napier has been brought in to not just repair the damage but transform the entire Florida football program. Napier hasn’t been given a blank check to recalibrate the football program, but there have been few if any instances when athletic director Scott Stricklin has said no. Stricklin’s approach is if it makes sense, then do it. He knows and understands that football revenue is the lifeblood of the entire athletic program and this is a program that just finished fifth in the Learfield Director’s Cup standings, the best finish of any Southeastern Conference program. What Billy needs, Billy will get. “I think we're 20 percent bigger as an organization,” Napier said. “We've modernized the approach. We have an incredible product. I mean, we have history, we have tradition, we have an elite degree. We have one of the best experiences for scholar athletes in the country. It's been done before, and they're passionate about doing it again, right? I think they [administration] understand maybe why there's a struggle. I think they're working hard to address those things.” The administration likes Napier’s no shortcuts to excellence approach. It was one of the bigger reasons why Napier was the first and only choice after Stricklin parted ways with Mullen. Stricklin is a firm believer that there are two ways to achieve winning: (1) win at all costs, which isn’t going to cut it at UF; and (2) win by doing things the right way. As Stricklin sees it, there is a right way and there is a wrong way and there is no gray area. It seems to fit with Napier’s core philosophy: “We want to create an organization that has life-changing impact on the players, right? We've put together a great infrastructure that's all about serving the players. We're trying to improve the player experience. We firmly believe that better people make better football players. We're committed to improving their character. We're going to prioritize their education. We're going to teach football at a high level.” Here are a few other notable comments Napier made Wednesday: On the 2022 Gators “I think they've got a chip on their shoulder. They're excited about the opportunity to earn some respect.” Not worried about anyone but the Gators “To go back to what you're talking about, we're consumed with Florida right now. We've got a lot of grass to mow, right? It's our grass, not anybody else's. We've got a lot of work to do. Dealing with the every day issues “When you take over an organization, a team, you quickly get to work on what are the issues, what are the problems, coming up with really good solutions. It's one day at a time, it's one person at a time. I think that's the approach we're taking.” COACHES COMMENTS FROM WEDNESDAY AT SEC MEDIA DAYS Arkansas coach Sam Pittman “We led the Power Five in rushing. I think what that does, it tells us what we're trying to do with our program. We want to be a physical team on both sides of the line of scrimmage. We want to win the line of scrimmage. We want to be physical and tough. To do that, it's hard to do. I was an O-line coach for a long, long time, never was able to lead a Power Five in rushing, but we were able to do that last year.” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops “You've heard me talk about it, and how we're going to do that, but each and every year I talk about it, build, select and develop. That's what we are. We may change the narrative, change how we do it, different tactics each year. But bottom line is continue to build that attitude, continue to build the culture that we're looking for at Kentucky. Extremely important in this day and age. It goes with the next point: selecting the right players, recruiting. Again, never more important.” Georgia coach Kirby Smart “We have 95 players right now with NIL deals that are on our roster. That's incredible, the depth of that. There's so much good there … So NIL can be a good thing and they can learn to manage money at a young age. But to use it as inducement to get a young man to go to your school is not good for anybody or the game. I don't have the answer for how to guardrail that, but NIL has been good to Georgia and it's been good to our players and it will continue to be.” UF SOFTBALL, LACROSSE PICK UP TRANSFERS Tim Walton and Amada O’Leary benefitted from the NCAA transfer portal Wednesday. Walton added pitcher Samantha Bender from Tennessee while O’Leary added attacker Tayler Warehime, the team captain from North Carolina’s NCAA champion Tar Heels. Bender is a grad transfer who earned her undergraduate degree in kiniseology. At Tennessee, she appeared in 31 games over three seasons making 9 starts. She posted a 5-1 record with two saves and a 2.77 ERA in 2020, which was her best season. Warehime played in 62 games during her Tar Heel career with 42 starts. During UNC’s national championship run in 2023, Warehime scored 11 goals and added four assists. Her best season in Chapel Hill was her junior season (2021) in which she had 38 goals and eight assists. ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: California governor Gavin Newsom is demanding to know why UCLA is leaving the Pac-12 to join the Big Ten. “UCLA must clearly explain to the public how this deal will improve the experience for all its student-athletes, will honor its century-old partnership with UC-Berkeley, and will prserve the histories, rivalries and traditions that enrich our communities.” Okay, Gavin, at the risk of sounding a bit too elementary, let me put this in terms that even a career politician can understand: UCLA’s athletic department is in debt to the tune of $108-plus millions of dollars. The Pac-12 paid out $19 million in its most recent media payout. It doesn’t have a media deal beyond 2024 and won’t even have a league if Oregon and Washington depart the Pac-12 for the Big Ten, which is entirely possible. Even if the Pac-12 lucks out and lands a media deal, it’s going to be in the $30 million a year per school range, if that. As a member of an expanded 16-team Big Ten, the media payouts are expected to be in the $90-100 million per year range. You don’t have to be a brain scientist or a rocket surgeon to figure out that with Big Ten money UCLA can get its athletic department in the black in a very short time. It’s simple math and it’s not that complicated.