GAINESVILLE, Fla. – They've heard about them. They've read about them. They've talked about them.
On Saturday, Gators fans who show up at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium can
watch them.
Who are we talking about? The 2023 Gators football team.
Fans are invited to The Swamp on Saturday afternoon from 2:30 to 4:30 for an open practice as the UF football team holds its fifth practice of preseason camp. The Gators open the season Aug. 31 at Utah before taking on McNeese in the home opener Sept. 9.
While Florida has opened the gates to an occasional spring practice over the last decade, not since the Will Muschamp era have preseason camp practices been open consistently.
Second-year UF head coach
Billy Napier understands the interest and why it's important to give fans a closer look.
"It's a tradition at a lot of places that I've worked,'' Napier said Thursday. "I think at some point here it was a tradition. It's really a reward for the fans."
Besides fans having an opportunity to check out a roster full of newcomers, they will get a glimpse of Napier's "army" of staff at work. Florida reported for camp on Sunday and held its fourth practice of the preseason on Friday morning.
No. 5 will be more crowded than usual.
"We've got a lot of people [on staff] that allow us to run a really efficient practice, so you get to see some of the young players, you get to see some of the positions where there's competition,'' Napier said. "But more importantly, just respect for the people in the organization that do a great job helping us practice the way we do so, you know, there's going to be a unique opportunity for fans to watch."
Fans can enter the stadium through Gates 1 and 6 after they open at 2 p.m. Admission is free.
Sophomore cornerback
Devin Moore is ready to perform in front of an audience. Moore missed most of last season following shoulder surgery and is eager to ramp up the competition in camp.
A crowd helps.
"I'm excited,'' he said. "I haven't been able to get back on the field with my teammates and the guys and represent the Orange & Blue in front of the fans in about a year now."
