The Florida Gators fell to 4-3 on the season after losing to the LSU Tigers on Saturday in front of dozens of top prospects.
While fans look mainly at the results on the field, recruits around the country are focused on seeing what Billy Napier is doing to change the program in Gainesville.
Recruits want to see how the coaching staff is developing their players in year one of their tenure in Gainesville and pay more attention to that than results.
GatorCountry talked to several recruits that were in attendance on Saturday night to get their thoughts on what they’re seeing from Napier and his coaching staff in year one at Florida.
“Not necessarily because I’m not playing this season,” Desmond Ricks said. “At the end of the day, it’s just about how the program is going forward. The coaching staff is new, so this isn’t really their players.”
“I see them getting better every week,” John Walker said. “Starting in the summertime at practice. I see Coach Spencer coaching them up and getting them better throughout the week, but I can see the development on the field. I would say development is more important [than wins and losses.]
“Success don’t happen overnight,” Kayden McDonald who was at the Missouri game not LSU said. “It’s takes time to develop and build a championship program
“As a head coach your first year is never going to be easy doing anything,” Jordan Hall said. “You must get the environment and system adapted and bring in the recruiting staff. He hasn’t even had his first recruiting class so seeing what he brings in this and seeing how this works. The way he has changed these guys from when Coach Mullen was here, it’s a very big difference.”
“I definitely see that they’re developing the guys,” Kelby Collins said. “I feel like some players are still getting used to the new system, but I see them being developed. I see some guys that didn’t make a lot of plays last year make some plays this year.”
“You can definitely see the culture difference from last year to this year,” Elijah Rushing said. “I don’t know what exactly happened with Coach Mullen but I can definitely see there’s a culture change and that’s definitely something that I have noticed.”
“I honestly feel the development of each player mentally and physically is what’s most important,” Bryce Thornton said. “The results will come, but the development is definitely a priority.”
“It’s a lot more than a win or loss,” Knijeah Harris said. “Seeing the players fight till the end of the game and seeing the players in the position to make plays is what I believe is most important. Coach Napier has already made such an impact on the program that you won’t see by just looking at the scoreboard.”
“I look at everything, I feel Coach Napier has come a long way in his first year and that he will continue to make the Swamp a great place,” Tyree Patterson said. “I also feel he and the rest of the coaching staff are developing the players well and they will continue to do so when the class of 2023 gets there.”