Napier didn't recruit Richardson to UF, but when he replaced Dan Mullen as Florida's head coach in December 2021, the immediate future rested on the oversized talent of Richardson. Sure, Emory Jones was still around, but by the end of the first week of spring practice in March of '22, it was clear Richardson had the edge to be Napier's first starting quarterback with the Gators.
And Jones knew it. He announced plans to transfer before camp ended, resolving the issue. Richardson slowly grew into the role and had his moments during an up-and-down regular season, but by the time the season was over, Richardson's future was brighter than ever.
Not because of what he did in his only season as Florida's starter, but what he might do in the NFL.
Spoke to Anthony Richardson at a Play Football clinic today. He said his emotions are all over the place now that we are a day out from the draft. Said he almost started crying last night when he and his family arrived. He's excited for tomorrow night. pic.twitter.com/dIROlqYcB1
"Ultimately, 10 out of 32 teams gave him a first-round grade and he had confidence that he could move into the first round,'' Napier said this week on Sirius XM Radio of Richardson's decision to enter the draft. "If you can get into the first round, it's hard to pass up that opportunity. Anthony is a really bright young man and has good people around him.
"Ultimately, he bet on himself and I'm excited to see how this thing works out."
Napier saw what NFL teams saw. Richardson is a rare talent who has barely tapped into his potential. That is why he is considered a likely top-1o pick when the NFL Draft starts on Thursday night.
"This guy may be the most physically talented football player that I've ever been around," Napier said. "A generational talent. It would be very hard for me not to draft this guy after being around him for a year."
While Richardson is clearly the Gators' headliner in the 2023 draft, he won't be the only UF player to hear his name called starting Thursday through Saturday in Kansas City.
To help you get ready for the draft, here is a primer on the Gators available. The heights and weights listed are from the NFL Combine, as are the combine grades. Here is a look at the grading scale:
Anthony Richardson at UF Pro Day last month. (Photo: Ashley Ray/UAA Communications)
Richardson is unquestionably one of the most intriguing prospects in the NFL Draft in years. First, he plays quarterback, and second, he offers a mix of unmatched physical gifts at the position. The big question mark surrounds Richardson's lack of experience. He started only one season at Florida and threw 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The Gators finished 6-6 in Richardson's 12 starts, highlighted by a victory over Utah in his first career home start that put Richardson in the Heisman Trophy conversation, if only briefly. The most recent mock drafts from well-connected industry insiders point Richardson's future toward Seattle as the fifth overall pick. Could he go higher? Definitely. Could he drop a few spots? Definitely. Again, that's what makes Richardson the most-discussed prospect in this year's draft. The guess here is that Richardson lands in the top 10 picks and challenges Steve Spurrier (No. 3 overall to San Francisco in 1967) as the highest-drafted Gators quarterback in school history.
The mammoth Torrence claims the title as top transfer in Gators history in the brief transfer-portal era. He arrived with head coach Billy Napier from Louisiana and in his only season at Florida, anchored the offensive line and earned an All-American brick outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Torrence has the tools to become a starting interior lineman in the NFL and is projected as a late first-round, early second-round pick in the draft. I've seen him going as high as No. 12 to Tennessee and 27th to the Bills in various mock drafts from NFL insiders. Most pundits see him as the first guard selected in the draft.
Justin Shorter catches a pass against USF in 2021. (Photo: Tiffany Franco/UAA Communications)
A former five-star recruit out of New Jersey, Shorter started his career at Penn State before transferring to Florida. He became a three-year starter for the Gators and downfield threat in the passing game. Shorter's size is his greatest attribute and he is projected to go in the middle rounds of the draft. Florida's Pro Day offered Shorter a showcase for his ability. He served as one of four receivers Richardson threw to during the event in front of all 32 NFL teams.
Dexter arrived at Florida with a lot of buzz as one of the country's top defensive line recruits. Dexter found a role on the field immediately and steadily improved during his college career. He often faced double teams, which limited his production on the stat sheet. Dexter helped himself through the draft process and with his size and above-average athleticism, Dexter projects as a potential second- or third-round pick according to the latest mock drafts. He visited several teams in need of help on the D-Line, including the Packers, Browns and Giants.
Gators linebacker Ventrell Miller in action against Missouri. (Photo: Isabella Marley/UAA Communications)
Miller developed into a team leader and fan favorite during his six seasons at Florida, hanging around for another season in 2022 after his fifth-year senior season was cut short due to an arm injury. Miller has above-average instincts and has a nose for the ball, important traits for a middle linebacker who is a bit undersized in the NFL. Miller's intangibles should help him find a spot in the league. He is considered a late-round pick or undrafted free agent by most mock drafts.
Gouraige was a rock on Florida's offensive line the past four seasons, starting 42 games and shifting from guard to tackle. He figures to be a late-round pick who could develop into a nice depth piece, eventual starter. The 49ers have reportedly shown an interest in Gouraige, who will add a quality person to the locker room wherever he lands.
Read on Gouraige: NFL.com prospect page for Gouraige.
Combine grade: 5.90 (average backup or special-teamer)
Dean's roller-coaster college career ended with an MVP performance in the Shrine Bowl, a development that surprised some Gators fans who often heaped their displeasure on the team's pass defense toward Dean. A Georgia native, Dean played regularly all five seasons at UF and experienced his share of highs and lows. But he's athletic, long and isn't afraid to make a tackle, all qualities that likely will help him find a spot on a practice squad if he goes undrafted.
Brenton Cox Jr. at UF's Pro Day. (Photo: Ashley Ray/UAA Communications)
Cox definitely looks like an NFL player, in and out of uniform. The question is whether a team will make him one. A talented edge rusher who started his career at Georgia before transferring to Florida, Cox was once a five-star recruit that had recruiters pouring into Stockbridge, Ga., to watch him play. Five years later, he is a twice-dismissed player who has talent but, fair or unfair, is trailed by character issues. It won't surprise me if Cox is a late-round pick. It won't surprise me if he goes undrafted. Regardless, some team will likely toss him a lifeline and see what he makes of it.
Read on Cox: A talented player in search of lessons from his past writes David Whitley of the Gainesville Sun.
Combine grade: 5.67 (candidate for bottom of roster or practice squad)
Torrence had a strong season in 2022, leading the Gators in tackles (87) while added three interceptions. He did nothing overly impressive at the NFL Combine or UF Pro Day, but Torrence has a skill-set that should get him signed as an undrafted free agent should no team use a pick on him in the final rounds.
Combine grade: 5.66 (candidate for bottom of roster or practice squad)
LONG SHOTS
Linebacker Amari Burney is not projected to get drafted but Florida fans will always remember his game-clinching interception to defeat Utah in the 2022 opener. Burney flashed significant improvement in his final season and could find a spot as a special-teams player or depth piece down the road in the NFL. Burney is one of those players you root for to find a home in the league after doing whatever he was asked with the Gators … Receiver Jordan Pouncey showed off his conditioning for the draft at UF Pro Day as one of the receivers catching passes from Richardson. Pouncey was primarily a special-teams player for the Gators whose claim to fame is that he caught the first touchdown pass of Richardson's college career in the 2020 Cotton Bowl. If he plays in the NFL, Pouncey likely will have to spend time on a practice squad and work his way through the ranks.
Inside Gators Football & Up Next presented by UF HealthInside Gators Football & Up Next presented by UF Health
Tuesday, November 25
Inside Gators Football & Up Next presented by UF Health (November 25, 2025)Inside Gators Football & Up Next presented by UF Health (November 25, 2025)
Tuesday, November 25
Florida Football | Interim Head Coach Billy Gonzales Press Conference | Florida StateFlorida Football | Interim Head Coach Billy Gonzales Press Conference | Florida State
Monday, November 24
Billy Gonzales Press Conference 11-24-25Billy Gonzales Press Conference 11-24-25
