In previous years we’ve seen head coaches dance around the quarterback questions; those days are over. Billy Napier praised all of his QB’s on Tuesday afternoon, but make no mistake, he made it very clear where they stand.
Napier gives his report on five QB’s on the Florida Gator roster after the first five days of fall camp.
Anthony Richardson had his fair share of ups and downs last season. Napier has seen significant improvement from Richardson since stepping foot in Gainesville.
“There’s no question that his confidence and comfort level with the verbiage, with the communication, I think is more concise, and we’ve seen him be much more accurate. You know the old adage, “we’re on the same page”, I think we are making progress to being on the same sentence, if that makes sense,” Napier said. “I think his feet are in the right place because he’s processing quicker, he’s able to anticipate, and the ball’s going to the right place. Very pleased with Anthony and where he’s at. I think he’s getting more comfortable in that leadership role and the things that come with being the quarterback at the University of Florida”.
Jack Miller, a QB transfer from Ohio State, arrived in Gainesville in early January. Miller received negative backlash from fans and the media after his performance in the spring game. Miller completed 13 of 23 passes for 121 yards and one interception. I don’t believe Miller played as poorly as everyone made it out to seem. He had a pair of really nice drives that ended in a missed field goal from the goal line and an interception in the endzone. Miller had only been on campus a few months and was playing primarily against the first team defense. Miller didn’t have a great day and was very clearly not pushing for the starting job, but it seemed to me that he just needed to clean up some things, which would lead him to become a solid backup for the Gators this season.
Napier is not hiding the fact that Miller is the backup QB for this Gators team.
“Jack Miller also has done extremely well, very pleased with Jack,” Napier said. “Yesterday in particular we gave him a few reps with the first group, just as a healthy experience for him, I thought he did some really good things. In this setting, at quarterback, you are dependent on the players around you, the offensive line, the tight ends, the running backs, and the receivers”.
“We are executing, Jack is very capable,” Napier said. “I will say this going all the way back to spring, he’s moved our team. I know the spring game he threw a couple of interceptions and all that, but he’s consistently made the right decision, he’s very capable, he’s got arm talent, he’s accurate, and he’s a good athlete. I think we made a really good decision there. Realizing that he is a freshman, he has four years to play.”
Jalen Kitna received high praise from Napier as well.
“I would say Kitna is the player I probably saw the most growth in from spring practice,” Napier said. “Just to see him take another step fundamentally I thought, he’s throwing the ball much more consistently, much more accurate, better grasp.”
Napier mentioned that Kitna had a setback injury, but they anticipate getting him back. He had a small procedure on Monday.
Freshman QB Max Brown is going through growing pains and will not see the field this year.
“Max is a rookie player, he’s going through those growing pains that most rookie quarterbacks go through,” Napier said. “Everybody is a little bigger, little faster, lot of information, lot to process there. He’s a reflection of most of the rookies on our team.”
Napier is pleased with what walk-on QB Kyle Engel has done for the program.
“Engel has did good things, he’s obviously a walk-on player that actually got awarded a scholarship for the spring and summer semester as a result of his work,” Napier said. “A guy that provides some depth there. Really has a good understanding, a smart, intelligent player that’s got character and brings a lot to our team and locker room.”
There’s no debating that this is Richarson’s football team. However, Napier is pleased where his other QB’s stand.
“Overall, I think we got two players that can play winning football, and I think we’re working hard on getting a third one ready,” Napier said.