UF Football: Napier Said Pace Of Scrimmage Picked Up

The Florida Gators had a closed scrimmage on Tuesday afternoon at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Coach Billy Napier spoke with media after the scrimmage.

“So, we got a lot of good work today, and we stayed healthy. I thought, for the most part, really productive day. I did not think that we started fast, I thought that early in the scrimmage we were kind of knocking the cobwebs off. But I would say that the second, third, fourth quarter of the game today was really some good effort on the deal. I thought it was physical, and I think we have to make progress and work towards being a tough-minded group, a fundamentally sound group, and then one that can handle the adversity and momentum – whether it’s at home against a formidable public or some of these road games, some of these venues that we have to deal with,” Napier said.

The Gators have focused on a lot of situational football this spring and appear to be getting better every single day.

“We came in here Saturday, I thought we had our best football practice of the spring, and then today took a step forward. So, in general, it was a very positive day,” Napier said.

Harrison Bailey and Aidan Warner were the two quarterbacks getting the majority of snaps at quarterback during the scrimmage. Both quarterbacks will be competing for the QB2 spot this spring. Bailey, a transfer from Louisville, has thrown for 1,190 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions in his career. Meanwhile, Warner, a rising sophomore, was Florida’s third-string quarterback last year behind DJ Lagway and Graham Mertz. He appeared in six games with one start, throwing for 228 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. He did record a rushing touchdown, though.

“I thought for the most part when the pocket was clean that they were effective. Aiden, in particular, did a lot of good things. I do think that we’ve got some legit rushers on defense, and I think that it was very competitive relative to protecting the quarterback, affecting the quarterback. Thought we tipped some balls. There would have been quite a few quarterback hits today just standing back there behind them. But I do think that both guys did a lot of positive things. Aiden in particular early I thought was really sharp,” Napier said.

Lagway also got snaps at quarterback, but he is still not throwing the ball this spring. He is instead, going through progressions, performing handoffs, and running the ball.

“He’s doing great. He actually played quite a few plays today. So, he was able to participate in the scrimmage. He’s just been modified in terms of his ability to throw the ball. Obviously, it’s really a more of a holistic approach in terms of what we’re doing with him. But in general, he’s doing great. Today he played every play from behind. He stood back there with me, got the play call. We’ve been having him call some plays in seven-on-seven drills, just to kind of reiterate that communication. I think we’ve given him some leadership assignments. We’re doing a ton of walk-through rooms, in the Gator Room and the Heavener Center. So overall, he continues to get a little bit better each day,” Napier said.

Lagway likely won’t be throwing in the Orange and Blue Spring Game on April 12. “He’ll do the same things he’s been doing in practice every day,” Napier said.

Napier said that the receiver group had a great scrimmage Tuesday.

“Hayden Hansen had a couple really impressive plays. I thought that (Aidan) Mizell, his ability to run after the catch I thought today that showed up. He had a big touchdown early. I thought we did a nice job blocking on the perimeter. We took advantage of some of the uncovered perimeter throws. But in general, I would say the offensive skill today, there was a lot of good things,” Napier said.

Napier said that running back Ja’Kobi Jackson has stood out not just in the scrimmage, but this entire spring.

“One of the things I’ve been impressed with him is he has developed a voice as a leader. I think he’s a guy who came in was under recruited, a guy that had to do the hard work to develop – get himself in shape. Truly has earned everything he’s been given here, went from the bottom of the depth chart, relatively unknown until the last off season, spring practice, training camp, and all of a sudden, he worked his way into the rotation there. Took advantage of Treyaun being injured, and then here we go. So, he is one of the better leaders, in my opinion, on the team. I think that that’s going to be pivotal for our team going forward. He’s extremely competitive,” Napier said.

Jackson is expected to be the backup running back behind rising sophomore Jaden Baugh. This tandem will get more snaps in the backfield this season with Montrell Johnson Jr. graduating and entering the NFL Draft.

Napier has seen a lot from his year two guys this spring, including five-star high school recruit and former Colorado transfer Cormani McClain.

“I think Cormani’s doing better year two. I think that’s Aaron Chiles is doing better. Trying to think the guys that were true freshman last year. Westphal has taken a step forward. I mean, I consider Caden Jones a little bit of a rookie because he was injured in year one. I think he’s getting better. Mizell had a good day. Yeah, mean, I think those off the top of my head, I would say those are the guys that, year one year two guys, that have made a big jump,” Napier said.

Napier has been very impressed with the linebacker group this spring.

“You know, I think just in general, that group was very physical today and made some impressive plays. I think that J-Rob is intelligent. I think his football intelligence shows up. This is a guy who played safety, then played kind of an apex nickel position, then moved in to play stack-backer in year one here. I just think he keeps getting better. But he’s a great communicator, he’s got really good understanding of the system, and I think he makes all the other players around him better. Last year, in particular, he and Pup [Grayson Howard], you know, we would mix and match those rookies, put those guys in the game with those young players. So, I thought the ‘backer group as a whole was impressive today,” Napier said.

Napier also added that “Aaron Chiles had some great physical plays. Myles Graham. Ty Jackson continues to flash. So that’s a good group as a whole, and certainly J Rob. And look, we get Pup back, you know, he’s going to eventually be back. We consider that one of the better groups in the country, in my opinion, at that position.”

The Gators edges are going to be a force in the SEC this season as well. Kamran James, LJ McCray, Tyreak Sapp, George Gumbs Jr, Jayden Woods and Kofi Asare are all guys that can get to the opposing quarterback.

Overall, Napier was happy with his team’s scrimmage, but did mention that they had a slow start.

“I think most of our players would tell you the same thing. We lacked a little bit of energy in the very beginning, but it ramped up. It got competitive pretty quick. But, yeah, it’s never going to be, you know, I’m never satisfied at this point. You know, there’s a lot of stuff to clean up, but in general, I thought the effort, the attitude for probably two-thirds of the day was really good,” Napier said.

There won’t be another scrimmage until Florida’s Spring Game. Kick-off will be at 1 p.m. inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.