Carter's Corner: Napier's Busy Offseason Continues, Newest Players Arrive, More Gators Tibits
Tuesday, January 9, 2024 | Football, Scott Carter
While no official announcement has been made, the hire makes sense considering Napier's connection with Roberts, who spent last season as Auburn's defensive coordinator. Roberts was Louisiana's defensive coordinator in Napier's first two seasons as a head coach in 2018 and '19. He left Louisiana for Baylor, where he spent three seasons as defensive coordinator prior to going to Auburn in December 2022.
Source: Florida is set to hire Auburn defensive coordinator Ron Roberts as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He spent a season at Auburn after coordinating Baylor's defense. Auburn recently hired Colorado DC Charles Kelly. @mzenitz and @GrahamHall first reported.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 8, 2024
Roberts received a glowing endorsement from Auburn linebacker Eugene Asanta on social media when the news began to spread.
"Coach Ron Roberts took a LB who (was) deemed not good enough to play by a previous staff and helped him be one of the leading tacklers in the SEC," Asante wrote on Instagram. "For y'all to say he ain't a good coach is stupid and needs to be examined. Thank you for everything you did for me coach. You instilled confidence into me as a player and I will use everything you taught me daily. Good luck at Florida."
Asanta had one tackle in 2022 in limited playing time. He led the Tigers with 86 stops as the seventh-leading tackler in the Southeastern Conference in his season playing for Roberts.
He had a message for Gators linebacker Shemar James.
"You got a good one."
As the offseason news cycle continues to churn, a look at other developments of interest to Gators fans:
MAKING THE READ
—Former Gators quarterback Jack Miller III, whose claim to fame in Orange & Blue will be starting the loss to Oregon State in the 2022 Las Vegas Bowl, is no longer part of the program writes Graham Hall of 247Sports.
—The revamp of Florida's strength and conditioning staff continues writes Zach Abolverdi of On3.com.
—Good read on Gators freshman quarterback DJ Lagway from Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel.
Story: New #Gators QB DJ Lagway's dad @DerekLagway1 wishes he'd had his son's drive.
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) January 8, 2024
His coach @TheQBTech believes one day his star pupil will have a statue at UF.
Lagway's new teammates are believers, too.
'He's a true baller.'https://t.co/rWA5I1IQG4
—Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin believes in head coach Billy Napier writes Nick de la Torre of On3.com.
—Florida is expected to hire Mark Robinson, who has been at Texas A&M, for an NFL-type front office role writes Jacob Rudner of 247Sports.
—Former Gators tight end Andrew Savaiieana is headed to Nevada writes Chris Murray of NevadaSportsNet.com.
—Former Gators linebacker Scooby Williams has transferred to Texas A&M writes Ryan Brauninger of TexAgs.com.
—Former Gators defensive back Jaydon Hill is also headed to College Station writes Hayes Fawcett of On3.com.
TOPICAL TWEETS
Departing Gators center Kingsley Eguakun will play in the upcoming Senior Bowl ...
OFFICIAL! OL Kingsley Eguakun @Keguakun from @GatorsFB has accepted his invitation to the 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl! #GoGators #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️@JimNagy_SB @PaniniAmerica #RatedRookie pic.twitter.com/8MZoB4dUAr
— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 9, 2024
The newest Gators, including top prospect Lagway, moved in over the weekend ...
Welcome Home! #2THESW4MP 🐊 pic.twitter.com/Mcg44e3My2
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) January 7, 2024
Congrats to Gators football operations assistant Yusuf Shakir on his induction into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame ...
Coach Yusuf Shakir 2024 FACA Hall of Fame inductee @Yusuf_Shakir pic.twitter.com/S5TNI3xb5M
— FACA (@FACACoach) January 6, 2024
Best of luck to former Gators starting offensive lineman Richie Leonard IV, who announced he is in the transfer portal ...
I would like to thank the University of Florida for my time there. Glad I can say I am an alumnus of this great institution. With that being said I am entering my name in the transfer portal as a grad transfer. pic.twitter.com/o3mZOqx8EQ
— Richie Leonard IV ♕ (@RichieLeonardIV) January 5, 2024
