Gators head coach Billy Napier at his press conference Wednesday on Early National Signing Day. (Photo: Isabella Marley/UAA Communications)
Napier's Master Plan Includes NIL Success for Gators
Saturday, December 18, 2021 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The 150-word statement flashed across social media on Friday night at 8:06.
The three words to introduce Gators head coach Billy Napier's statement — "A new era" — could not have been more appropriate.
In his second week on the job, Napier touched on one of college athletics' most pressing topics: Name, Image and Likeness.
While NIL has been in the mainstream for the past year since the NCAA altered its rules and a handful of states, including Florida, passed laws allowing student-athletes to benefit financially from their name, image and likeness, the topic took center stage on Wednesday following perhaps the most shocking flip in National Signing Day history.
When the nation's No. 1 overall recruit, Suwanee (Ga.) cornerback Travis Hunter, flipped from Florida State to FCS program Jackson State, immediate speculation centered on what type of NIL deal Hunter acquired to become the first five-star recruit in the modern era to commit to an FCS school. Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders blew off such talk, but Hunter choosing the road less traveled produced a ton of headlines.
As for the Gators, Napier's public dip into the NIL whirlpool on Friday night is a smart move. It's a part of college football that is only going to grow and it seems everyone is looking for a piece of the pie. Even Tom Brady has signed NIL agreements with several players to launch a new clothing line.
In NIL's brief existence, several Gators have touted personalized merchandise on their social media accounts and shared news of NIL agreements. The University Athletic Association this week announced a deal to partner with INFLCR in the NIL arena.
Meanwhile, Gators redshirt freshman quarterback Anthony Richardson signed a NIL deal with Gainesville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in October and received a new Dodge Durango.
"As a young kid, my favorite car was a Charger and my mom rented one when I was younger and I fell in love,'' Richardson told local ABC affiliate WCJB. "But, after getting one a year or two ago, I realized I was too big for it I just started looking for a bigger vehicle and Durangos just caught my eye and now I think I'm in love with it."
In the old days, fair or unfair, a player driving a new vehicle generated whispers of scandal. Today, it's part of college football.
Napier knows it and has NIL success as part of his ultimate vision for the Gators.
The three words to introduce Gators head coach Billy Napier's statement — "A new era" — could not have been more appropriate.
In his second week on the job, Napier touched on one of college athletics' most pressing topics: Name, Image and Likeness.
𝘼 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙚𝙧𝙖. #UFuture | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/AOc6fHnEr4
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) December 18, 2021
While NIL has been in the mainstream for the past year since the NCAA altered its rules and a handful of states, including Florida, passed laws allowing student-athletes to benefit financially from their name, image and likeness, the topic took center stage on Wednesday following perhaps the most shocking flip in National Signing Day history.
When the nation's No. 1 overall recruit, Suwanee (Ga.) cornerback Travis Hunter, flipped from Florida State to FCS program Jackson State, immediate speculation centered on what type of NIL deal Hunter acquired to become the first five-star recruit in the modern era to commit to an FCS school. Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders blew off such talk, but Hunter choosing the road less traveled produced a ton of headlines.
As for the Gators, Napier's public dip into the NIL whirlpool on Friday night is a smart move. It's a part of college football that is only going to grow and it seems everyone is looking for a piece of the pie. Even Tom Brady has signed NIL agreements with several players to launch a new clothing line.
In NIL's brief existence, several Gators have touted personalized merchandise on their social media accounts and shared news of NIL agreements. The University Athletic Association this week announced a deal to partner with INFLCR in the NIL arena.
Meanwhile, Gators redshirt freshman quarterback Anthony Richardson signed a NIL deal with Gainesville Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in October and received a new Dodge Durango.
"As a young kid, my favorite car was a Charger and my mom rented one when I was younger and I fell in love,'' Richardson told local ABC affiliate WCJB. "But, after getting one a year or two ago, I realized I was too big for it I just started looking for a bigger vehicle and Durangos just caught my eye and now I think I'm in love with it."
In the old days, fair or unfair, a player driving a new vehicle generated whispers of scandal. Today, it's part of college football.
Napier knows it and has NIL success as part of his ultimate vision for the Gators.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballFlorida Football | Sean Kelley, Coach Sumrall, Coach Spurrier, and Coach Meyer
Friday, December 12
Florida Football | Head Coach Jon Sumrall Sits Down with Gator Greats Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer
Friday, December 12
Florida Football | Urban Meyer & Nick Saban Interview | 2025 NFF Annual Awards Dinner
Wednesday, December 10
Coach Meyer and Coach Saban - Hall of Fame 12-09-25
Wednesday, December 10
