No.25 Florida is set to face off against Charlotte in week four for the first time on the gridiron. A win over Charlotte would give Florida its first winning streak of three games or more since rattling off six-straight SEC victories from Oct. 31 – Dec. 5, 2020 (def. Missouri, Georgia, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Tennessee).
Gator Country provides you with everything Head Coach Billy Napier had to say on Charlotte during this week’s press conferences.
Opening Statement from Monday’s Press Conference:
Napier: This Charlotte team has a new staff with a new head coach. They have a complete overhaul of the two deep. I mean, we’re talking about multiple transfers across the board from all over the country.
On things that stand out about Charlotte:
Napier: “When you turn the film on, I think the scoreboard doesn’t necessarily predict what you would see. I think this is a very capable group. Big, long, fast. I do think they’re very fundamentally sound. I think they play with toughness. I think they’ve got just enough here they can create some issues for you.
I think the big thing here is you got a boat load of Power 5 transfers. All these guys were elite recruits to some degree coming out. They’ve got height. length and speed all over the field. They’re going to look the part, he’s got them playing hard independent of the score and I think they’re fundamentally sound, I think they’ve got an identity and, ultimately, you’ve got to beat them. They’re going to make you earn it.”
On using pregame to meet guys you don’t know:
Napier: “Yeah, I think you obviously do your research in the offseason. You do a ton of research relative to spring scouting, summer scouting and certainly when we get to this week we do extensive research. I feel like I’ve heard Biff’s [Poggi] name a ton because I’ve been in a lot of recruiting meetings and he had a lot of kids at Gilman and St. Francis. Obviously, went to Michigan. This guy’s a football coach and he’s unique in his approach but he’s had tremendous success. And I’m going to tell you, I watched the film and he has a talented team. They’re fundamentally sound and I think they’re going through that year one, some of those growing pains. He’s got his way and there’s a lot of ways to skin a cat and it works for him.”