Florida head coach Billy Napier speaks to reporters on Wednesday at an early afternoon press conference at the Heavener Football Training Center. (Photo: GatorVision)
Press Conference | Napier Discusses Staff Changes, Newcomers to Roster
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Not so long ago, college football's February National Signing Day was treated like a national holiday in some corners of the country.
Times have changed and now the December Early Signing Period is the de facto National Signing Day. Still, Florida head coach Billy Napier had plenty to talk about on Wednesday at his first press conference of 2024.
"I do think we've added some really good players to our team since the last time we were in front of [the media] and certainly a lot of staff changes and new hires,'' Napier said. "Good group."
The Gators officially welcomed six additional transfers on their social media accounts Wednesday: quarterback Clay Millen (6-3, 188) from Colorado State; offensive lineman Devon Manuel (6-8, 300) from Arkansas; linebacker Grayson "Pup" Howard from South Carolina; safety Asa Turner (6-3, 187) from Washington; cornerback D.J. Douglas from Tulane; and linebacker George Gumbs (6-4, 242) from Northern Illinois.
Meanwhile, Napier addressed the additions of defensive assistants Ron Roberts, Gerald Chatman and Will Harris, director of football performance Craig Fitzgerald, chief of staff Mark Robinson, director of football nutrition/assistant strength coach Jake Sankal, and senior special-teams analyst Joe Houston.
Napier dropped a bit of news in confirming that assistants Mike Peterson, Jabbar Juluke, Rob Sale and Darnell Stapleton are set to return this season.
"We're in the process of that right now as we speak here,'' Napier said.
A couple of other notables: Napier continues to define roles for the offensive staff — "I don't see any major overhauls outside of just how we organize that group and how we operate in-house" — and said quarterback Graham Mertz, who suffered a season-ending broken collarbone at Missouri in November, will be ready to go in spring practice.
To watch Napier's complete press conference, check out the video below:
Times have changed and now the December Early Signing Period is the de facto National Signing Day. Still, Florida head coach Billy Napier had plenty to talk about on Wednesday at his first press conference of 2024.
"I do think we've added some really good players to our team since the last time we were in front of [the media] and certainly a lot of staff changes and new hires,'' Napier said. "Good group."
The Gators officially welcomed six additional transfers on their social media accounts Wednesday: quarterback Clay Millen (6-3, 188) from Colorado State; offensive lineman Devon Manuel (6-8, 300) from Arkansas; linebacker Grayson "Pup" Howard from South Carolina; safety Asa Turner (6-3, 187) from Washington; cornerback D.J. Douglas from Tulane; and linebacker George Gumbs (6-4, 242) from Northern Illinois.
Meanwhile, Napier addressed the additions of defensive assistants Ron Roberts, Gerald Chatman and Will Harris, director of football performance Craig Fitzgerald, chief of staff Mark Robinson, director of football nutrition/assistant strength coach Jake Sankal, and senior special-teams analyst Joe Houston.
Napier dropped a bit of news in confirming that assistants Mike Peterson, Jabbar Juluke, Rob Sale and Darnell Stapleton are set to return this season.
"We're in the process of that right now as we speak here,'' Napier said.
A couple of other notables: Napier continues to define roles for the offensive staff — "I don't see any major overhauls outside of just how we organize that group and how we operate in-house" — and said quarterback Graham Mertz, who suffered a season-ending broken collarbone at Missouri in November, will be ready to go in spring practice.
To watch Napier's complete press conference, check out the video below:
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballFlorida Football | Interim Head Coach Billy Gonzales Postgame Press Conference | Tennessee
Sunday, November 23
Florida Football | Jadan Baugh Postgame Media Availability | Tennessee
Sunday, November 23
Florida Football | Devin Moore Postgame Media Availability | Tennessee
Sunday, November 23
Jadan Baugh Postgame Press Conference 11-21-25
Sunday, November 23
