Billy Napier met with the media on Wednesday evening after Florida football released its first official depth chart of the 2024 season. Napier comments on the health of running back Montrell Johnson, Florida’s offensive line, and answers questions about the week one depth chart.
Here’s everything Napier had to say ahead of Florida’s week one matchup against Miami.
Opening Statement
“Okay guys, just a few more days left here, and it’s important that we continue to prepare all the way up until the game. Great, great work today, and I look forward to finishing the preparation the right way. They got a good look in their eye, look forward to Saturday. What do we got?”
On Montrell Johnson’s status:
“Yeah, I think we’re going to give you guys a depth chart here, but we anticipate Montrell being available.”
On how much UF can use Montrell Johnson:
“Yeah, I mean if he’s on that depth chart at the top of the list, that means he’s ready to go.”
On what kind of boost Montrell Johnson brings, to have his experience out there:
“Yeah, he has tremendous experiences. This will be his fourth year with us in the system, and obviously he’s been very productive. He’s one of the few rushers in the country that’s approaching 2,500 yards. Montrell’s a smart player. He’s got poise. He has composure. He’s one of the best practice players that we have, and he has character. I think the players respect him, he has voice on our team. So it definitely, you know, I think the more players that you have on the team, when you look around the room and you say, ‘You know what, I trust that guy, I trust that guy, I trust that guy.’ I think the more confidence you gain, the more players in the room that you have absolute trust in, Montrell would definitely be on that list.”
On if there’s a degree where a lighter workload in camp benefitted Montrell Johnson:
“I mean, I think he’s, I think it could go either way. I mean, I think ultimately, I would say that it’s been just right. I mean, I think maybe the blessing in disguise is all the rookie running backs were able to get more repetitions, and they’ll definitely benefit from that opportunity to continue to develop. But Montrell’s been able to go here for awhile.”
On if he has a sense the tackling has improved compared to this time last year, or if it’s TBD:
“I think so. I mean, I think, we certainly work on it quite a bit. You know, practice performance is game day reality, and tackling is one of those things that you only get to do a couple times a year, right, so we have certain tempos where we’re coaching the approach, we’re coaching all the mechanics, but not going to the ground, and overall, I can say that I think it’s been a lot more difficult to rush the ball in practice, you know, so hopefully that’s an indicator of the future.”
On Ron Roberts was saying that 10 missed tackles or fewer if a team runs 80 plays, where did you guys fit last year in missed tackles:
“You know, last year was last year. You know, I think we, it’s a new team, new group of players, new leadership. Obviously been training since January with this group of players. So we’ll see, you know, Saturday we’ll have our opportunity to tackle the other team. I’m hopeful we’ll do it better.”
On preparing freshmen for the game environment in the Swamp:
“We have a day that we dedicate to pregame orientation and game day process. I think it’s the Monday after the second scrimmage where we go in the stadium. This year, that included the tablets on the sideline and included the between-series process, coach-to-player communication and then I’ve said this too many times, you’ve got 36 new scholarship players and 25-30 percent attrition in the organization so we’re always assuming nothing. You have to take that approach each year and I’ve worked with some really good people in the past and I think that’s always been the attitude and approach.”
On finishing games:
“We’ll have our opportunity. We definitely will. And look, we’re talking about finishing plays, finishing possessions and certainly finishing the end of the game when we have the opportunity. We’re in training to prepare for that opportunity Saturday and hopefully finish the right way.”
On where the opportunity to finish against Miami ranks on the list of potential moments this year:
“I’m excited to watch this team, man. I’ve got a lot of belief in this group and I believe in our team. We’ve been working for a long time and I think we’ve — this group is one that’s fun to be around. I’ve got a ton of appreciation for the accountability at the player level, just the ownership and all the things that we’ve discussed. We’ve built some character and intangibles that I think will help us play better and I’m thankful for the new staff members that have contributed. Time to go play. Not much more to talk about.”
On whether or not he gets butterflies on game day:
“I love game day. I wish we could play 24 games.”
On the offensive line in pass pro:
“It’s been a good week. We’ve got depth, we’ve got multiple players that can play at each position. It’s very competitive. A lot of roles are going to be competitive each week relative to who starts the game, how many plays they play. It’s a battle out there. Good on good. I think the competitive depth has helped the quality of the scout team and I think because we’ve had multiple days to get ready, I think the scout team, the job-takers as we call them, have done a nice job.”
On rotating tackles:
“We’ve got depth there that’s competitive and multiple guys are going to play.”
On year-two leaps from underclassmen who played a lot in 2023:
“All parts of their development, too, not just the football part. They’re much more mature. I think they’re aware of expectations. It’s their team a little bit. They contributed to the team last year. I think experience and then confidence. Just training with anticipation of knowing what it’s like out there. They’re physically in a different place with a really good offseason and just much more knowledgeable. All parts of their development, they’re much improved and it’s good for the Gators and there’s a huge list of players that fit into that category.”
On Kam Waites separating himself:
“He’s been healthy, for one. We’ve always had a ton of confidence in him. He’s finally had an opportunity to be healthy and take the reps. He’s very versatile. He can play inside and outside both – and he will. But 6-8, 355 doesn’t hurt. And just a great offseason. I think he’s always been a guy we felt had a good future. He was able to play a little bit at the end of last year. I think that’s helped him going into the offseason. But we also have several other guys that I think are capable at that position.”
On Pup Howard’s fall camp earning him a starting role:
“Yeah, big, rangy, heavy handed, great communicator, just goes about his business. He’s a worker. He does extra. He’s consumed. He’s a great teammate.”
Are players aware of depth chart prior to release or will some show up at your door?
“No, we made that mistake before. I think we have good, sound processes. Look, we’ve been playing these players in an organized fashion in terms of what teams they rep with. But again that’s an organizational chart as much as a depth chart. We have a ton of competition. That’s one of the best things about this team. That can change next week based on what we observe.”
Kam Waites’ journey?
“We met him at a 7-on-7 camp at LSU’s camp. We’re over there and Coach Juluke meets him, he’s going to play at Kilgore Junior College. This was back when you can try them out. So he makes the drive to Lafayette. He’d never played football before. We crammed him in some 18 cleats. He wears a size 20 cleat – we didn’t have a size 20. Yeah, we put him through a workout. Very impressive to be that big and that athletic. I’m watching basketball clips, AAU basketball clips to kind of decide if the guy was athletic enough to do it. So we took a chance on him. He’s proved us right. He’s had of bumps in the road with injuries. But big men like that are hard to find. I’m hopeful that Kam will have a heck of a year here.”
On Des Watson’s progress:
“Yeah, he’s had a good offseason. He’s lost a significant amount of weight. His body composition has changed in a drastic way. He’s moving around better. He’s in condition, football condition. I joked with Des that I don’t know that he’s ever going to be a conditioning test all-star. But I think this is what he does, right? He plays football. Just the other day, in the team meeting, I was showing a pursuit clip of the defense at the beginning of the practice and to see that guy from the far hash sprint to the other sideline and keep up with the other athletes on the fields was pretty impressive. So Des has got a good look at his eye. It’s a big year for him, and I know he’s looking forward to it.”
On Knijeah Harris’ football IQ:
“I say he’s a very instinctive. He just does things naturally. He’s very smart. Got good fundamental base when he got here. I think he’s been coached in the past. He was a mid-year (enrollee) and he just took advantage of the youth that we had on the O-line and was able to get reps with the 2s and then play some last year. So he knows what it’s like out there. He’s prepared for several games. He’s taken a ton of reps. Knijeah is very focused, very mature. It’s never too big for him. He’s an impressive young man. Comes from a great family. He’s one of the originals in that group that we signed that first year, and he’s done a good job.”
On Derek Wingo:
“He had the shoulder surgery, missed spring. I think that part, getting back healthy. Man, he’s been through some injuries as well through his career. He felt great in the summer for OTAs, and I think he’s hit the ground running in training camp. And, look, Derek immediately he’s got presence, he’s respected and he’s very intelligent. He knows the defense. He’s a good special teams player, but he makes our team better. He cares about the University of Florida, and I think there’s a sincerity there. He’s got a lot of pride in representing this place. And Derek Wingo, he’s going to be successful. I don’t know what path he goes down. I don’t know, but he’ll have success in life.”