The Florida Gators lost starting quarterback Anthony Richardson to the NFL draft and were down to their third-string quarterback in the bowl game, but help is on the way.
Florida has already announced the addition of Graham Mertz from Wisconsin and quarterback signee Jaden Rashada (6-4, 185, Pittsburg, CA. High) will also be on campus for spring ball.
Rashada who flipped from Miami to Florida says a big key in the flip was the quarterback room needing help in Gainesville.
“That was super important to me,” Rashada said on the need for quarterbacks. Just go somewhere where you can compete and where they have a plan for you. I think their quarterback room, they’re building it as we go on. I’m just ready to compete and learn from everybody.”
Billy Napier and Ryan O’Hara won’t put pressure on Rashada to be the guy next year but the quarterback himself has set some goals for himself this offseason.
“We’re just going to take things day by day from workouts to spring ball then fall will come up,” he said on the plan for him. “I personally want to gain 20-25 pounds by around July, that’s my goal. Nutrition and just being in a program. I’m just excited to have all the resources.
Rashada who has watched a lot of film of the Gators this season believes he fits what Napier wants to run on offense.
“I think mainly their play-action and hitting those deep balls,” Rashada said on how he fits into the offense. “I think they have an established run game and that helps a passer. Opening things up in play-action is what I think is my biggest strength.”
Having Napier as not only the offensive coordinator but also the quarterback’s coach is something that also intrigued Rashada about the Gators.
“He’s there with you every day and every step of the way,” he said on Napier. “So, you don’t have to worry about a new system because of a coordinator change. Coach Napier is there and it’s his system.”
Napier received some criticism from people this fall for the Gators’ offense not being as productive as it could’ve been but the Rashada believes the offense will be fine once everyone understands the scheme.
“It’s new for everybody so I would say that’s the main thing,” Rashada said on Florida’s offense struggling some in 2022. “It’s not easy to learn a good system in one year. I would say that’s probably what people can look at. If people are going to be successful, it isn’t going to be in one year. I think mainly I’m excited to see how everyone develops and how the coaches keep developing us and just everything. I’m excited.”