2027 Elijah Haven

I really hope that Jones gets run as the 2nd team QB as the season goes on, if we have games where we have the lead in hand.

creating a bit of QB separation. No offense to Griffin, but if we land Haven then i’m thinking the transition would be from Lagway to Jones and then to Haven.

wish we could lock up Haven sooner rather than later

 

My Mustang story goes as follows. In 1967, my Dad bought what was called a ‘late Model 64 1/2 Midnight Blue White seats, blue rug, Automatic 260 V8. When I turned 16, he gave it to me. I went to College in it, dated my wife in it and it was ours until early 1990. But we had had a horrific wreck (in another vehicle), had to be hospitalized, and had no way of paying our Hospital bill other than to sell the Mustang I had grown up with. Liked to killed me. Sometime in the 90’s, my well off FIL came across this Mustang and bought it. He possessed it for years. Then in 2019, after my wife and I nearly killed ourselves helping him and my Mother in law move to a new home, he told me that he was going to give us the Stang. It came into our possession in late 23. Still needs some work but eventually I hope to restore it fully to club standards. Other than the Mustang under the dash A/C unit that I’m going to HAVE to install so the Missus will be able to be in it for any length of time! There’s my story. Back to the Gators!

 

With the receivers we have then the best thrower needs to be #2 even if it's Warner with less of a running threat.

 

1) The “new era” of NIL was just exactly that when Napier was hired. Everyone was trying to figure how to most effectively navigate it. Napier wasn’t responsible for UF’s (initially) rather underwhelming NIL structure. He didn’t have control over the UF administration’s overall, historically cautious approach to rules compliance. Billy didn’t have the buying power to just simply outbid anyone to acquire talent. Look at some of the teams that relied on buying power and the new transfer rules to build upon. I would argue the majority didn’t see a net positive rate of return using that model. USC, Texas A&M, Miami, LSU, FSU, UT, etc, etc. They liberally threw money, and aggressively relied on the portal for roster management. Did they build a sustainable system? Has this method been a success, or failure in your opinion? I would argue Napier’s approach of using high school recruiting, coupled with selective use of the portal, has resulted in a deeper, more sustainable roster, and better overall team culture. Slow build vs fast rise isn’t as sexy, I guess?
2) Is actually the same notion as your (1). So, insert my first paragraph here. I’ll add to it and remind you of THE COMPLETE REBUILD that was required, through no fault of his own. I’m sure lots of armchair onlookers could have done it in less time.
3) I don’t even understand this “5 year” line in the sand you’ve drawn. I think you look at the OVERALL direction of the program, and make a decision. And when UF did that, they saw a program that appears to be on the rise. You boiled Napier’s success down to admitting that he’s ONLY raised the talent level of the roster. When, in reality, he’s completely overhauled EVERYTHING about the way our football program does business. Nutrition, housing, personal development, the overall student athlete experience on campus, social media presence, etc, etc…..ALL overhauled and improved. All sustainable because of the method in which it was built.
We’ve all been disappointed with the wins/losses under Napier, so far. But, if we’re going to hold him accountable for the failures, we should at least be objectively honest about his many successes here, too. Just my opinion.

 

I would add, If Napier had this roster facing an FSU type schedule we would be talking about running the table. He's had to deal with brutal schedules that have significantly impacted the W/L

 

I like everything he's done but I understand that many can't see past 19-19. I also understand we could run the table this year and a lot of them would say, "yeah but he started 19-19 and shoulda woulda coulda."