Billy Napier takes over a UF team that went 6-7 in 2021. (Photo: Jordan McKendrick/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: Gators Spring Camp Primer
Monday, March 14, 2022 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The foundation is set. The identity is established (or at least a facial composite).
Next up for the Gators under first-year head coach Billy Napier and the eight phases on his organizational calendar is spring camp. Yes, Orange & Blue Game included on April 16.
More than three months after Napier took over the Gators, they embark on the chapter that includes tackling on Tuesday afternoon when they hold their first spring practice. There are more questions than answers about what the Gators will look like come fall.
The Gators' prospects are better than when Ted Lasso was hired as AFC Richmond's coach – first, it's confirmed Gators bosses have worked to empower Napier rather than undermine him – but the job has some challenges following Florida's 6-7 season, the program's third losing season in nine years.
This is one of those spring camps where there's mystery at nearly every position, and regardless of what the roster looks like today, it will undergo adjustments by the time of the season opener Sept. 3 against Utah.
Here is a look at some of the topics that has our attention:
NAPIER & CO.
The biggest storyline surrounding the Gators since they lost to UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 23 is the constant influx of football staff to help restore luster to the program. Before Napier accepted the job, he was assured he could add support personnel to match other top programs around the country, including Southeastern Conference powers Georgia and Alabama. While the program's staff has grown in recent years under previous coaches, Napier has modernized the Gators' approach with some catchy titles and analytical methods. On the field, he hired Rob Sale as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, and Patrick Toney (safeties) and Sean Spencer (defensive line) as co-defensive coordinators. The on-field staff is a mixture of veterans with SEC and NFL experience, and former members of Napier's Louisiana Lafayette staff. It will be interesting to finally get to see them in action.
QUARTERBACK BATTLE
The situation at quarterback is undoubtedly the most intriguing of the position battles. UF has five scholarship quarterbacks on the roster, including Emory Jones, who started 12 of 13 games last season. Still, the position appears wide open considering Jones struggled in his first season as the team's starter and then reportedly entered the transfer portal before opting to hang around this spring. Anthony Richardson is a dynamic playmaker when healthy, but he is expected to be limited this spring due to offseason knee surgery. And then you have newcomer Jack Miller III from Ohio State, a transfer and traditional drop-back passer with a different skill-set than Jones and Richardson. Oh, and don't forget redshirt freshmen Carlos Del Rio-Wilson and Jalen Kitna. Del Rio-Wilson and Kitna did not play last season but have fresh starts. Depending on Richardson's availability and Jones' future plans, this battle will likely continue into the fall barring a surprise standout in spring camp.
DEXTER AND COX
Fifth-year senior linebacker Brenton Cox Jr., No. 1 on your roster, is a player the Gators could use a big season from. (Photo: Chris Kim/UAA Communications)
The defense has ample question marks following the losses of defensive lineman Zachary Carter, cornerback Kaiir Elam and linebackers Jeremiah Moon, Mohamoud Diabate (transferred to Utah), Ty'Ron Hopper (transferred to Missouri) and Khris Bogle (transferred to Michigan State). There's a lot of opportunity on the unit, but for the defense to perform at a high level the Gators need breakout seasons from defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and outside linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. Both players have flashed their potential in breakout games, but for Dexter and Cox to give the Gators a formidable duo in the front seven, they must do it more consistently. Of course, Dexter and Cox can't do it alone. They will need help and the roster includes a mixture of newcomers and unproven underclassmen battling for positions in spring camp.
NEWCOMER CORNER
In the transfer portal era, the list of newcomers grows each year. No different for the Gators. Running back Montrell Johnson, and offensive linemen O'Cyrus Torrence and Kamryn Waites followed Napier from Louisiana to UF. Johnson was the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year after rushing for more than 800 yards and 12 touchdowns. He provides a boost to a backfield that lost Malik Davis and Dameon Pierce. Meanwhile, Torrence and Waites figure in the mix on the offensive line and arrive ahead of schedule with their experience in Napier's offense. Defensive back Kamari Wilson is a freshman to keep an eye on this spring. Wilson flipped to the Gators after Napier's arrive and is a five-star prospect from the IMG Academy in Bradenton. He is a 6-foot, 201-pound safety ranked No. 2 in the country by 247Sports.com in the 2022 signing class.
SHINE TIME
Several players have an opportunity to return to form or blossom under the direction of a new coaching staff. Linebacker Ventrell Miller missed most of last season due to an arm injury and is a key veteran in the middle of the defense. Unproven linebackers Derek Wingo and Diwun Black are back. The door is open for junior defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen to evolve into more of a factor. On offense, running backs Nay'Quan Wright, Demarkcus Bowman and Lorenzo Lingard can state their cases with a good spring. Redshirt freshman tight end Nick Elksnis, a talented prospect who appeared in four games a season ago, has an opportunity to showcase his talent following the departure of Kemore Gamble (transferred to UCF). This list could go on and on as a bevy of young players compete for playing time across the board.
SPRING GAME
If Napier's first season wasn't a big enough draw for the Orange & Blue Game, it comes with an added bonus in 2022. The Gators have not had a spring game since 2019, Dan Mullen's second season. The COVID-19 pandemic and continued health/safety protocols wiped out the spring game the past two seasons. The game is scheduled April 16 and 1 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Perhaps we'll have a few more answers about the 2022 Gators by then.
