What Billy Napier had to say about the Georgia Bulldogs ahead of their week nine clash

Billy Napier’s hardest task of the 2022 season comes in week nine as the Gators are set to clash with the #1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Jacksonville this Saturday. Georgia brings a defense to the table that Napier hasn’t seen this year. The Bulldogs rank 4th in FBS in total defense and 19th in PFFs defensive grade. 

“We’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for the University of Georgia and the football team that they have,” Billy Napier said. “Kirby has done a fantastic job going into year seven.”

“Defending national champs and the No. 1 team in the country, so it presents a great opportunity and certainly understanding the history and tradition behind this game at the same time, so we look forward to it,” Napier said. 

There’s no questioning Georgia’s talent on the field. Since 2018, Kirby Smart has put together a top 3 recruiting class in every cycle, including two #1 overall (2018, 2020). 

Napier recognizes the talent gap between Florida and Georgia and understands the importance of personnel. 

I think there’s work to be done in a lot of different areas when you’re trying to put together a football team. But personnel is part of that,” Napier said. “I think we all understand the value of acquiring really good players. And then having a culture and a development plan, once they do arrive, there’s lots of things that contribute to this game. So there’s no question the evaluation and the recruitment process is pretty well-documented, not only Georgia but a lot of the teams have done a really good job in those areas. It pays off. We all understand that.”

“There’s no question their personnel is really good,” Napier said on Georgia’s talent level. “All the things — we’re all from the same tree, height, length, the verified speed, the line of scrimmage, body types, the edge players, the match-up players. There’s no question that they’ve got really good personnel.”

Billy Napier and Kirby Smart have a connection that’s deeper than rival head coaches. 

“Heck, I wouldn’t have been at Alabama if it wasn’t for Kirby,” Napier said. “Our dads were high school coaches in Georgia. There was some familiarity there and certainly his influence on that with Coach Saban. He had a lot to do with me being there. I will always be thankful for that.”

“Heck, wouldn’t be standing here today without him,” Napier said. “I think that a number of people in the building that were on that staff, Burton Burns, Chris Rumph. We had a lot of people in the building that I had prior relationship with. I did not have a relationship with Coach Saban.”

“Kirby, we don’t know each other extensively, but because of our dads being coaches, seeing each other on the road,” Napier said.

Napier hasn’t coached in this rivalry game or even attended the world’s largest cocktail party, but he understands the importance and relevance of this game. 

I don’t think anybody that’s walking the halls in this building, most everybody understands the things that come with this game,” Napier said. 

“You know, I grew up in the state of Georgia, grew up watching this game. Our players are well aware,” Napier said.” We’ve got a good percentage that have played in this game. We got another percentage that grew up watching the game. So we all understand the history and tradition behind this game.”

This historic matchup doesn’t have the SEC east title relevance it usually does, at least not for the Gators. However, there’s a lot on the line for Florida. This game plays a huge role in recruiting for both teams, as both Florida and Georgia are often in the mix for the same recruits. Florida currently sits at four wins, needing two more to ensure a bowl game bid. Napier has a chance to shock the nation and take down the defending champs and #1 ranked team in his first season as coach of the Florida Gators. Every game is a big one for the Gators, but Florida vs Georgia just means more. 

“This is why you coach college football, why you come to the University of Florida, to play in this league, play in those types of games, and certainly this game has been around for a while,” Napier said. 

Florida (4-3) is set to take on Georgia (7-0) at 3:30p.m. on CBS. 

 

Nick Marcinko
Nick is a recent graduate from the University of Florida with a degree in Telecommunications. He is passionate about all sports but specifically baseball and football. Nick interned at Inside the Gators and worked part time with Knights247 before joining the Gator Country family. Nick enjoys spending his free time golfing and at the beach.