Quarterback Graham Mertz drops back to pass under the watchful eye of head coach Billy Napier during last Saturday's scrimmage at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Photo: Nicole Scharff/UAA Communications)
Orange & Blue Game Primer: New-Look Gators Return to Swamp
Friday, April 12, 2024 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida vs. Miami. Gators vs. Canes. Albert Gator vs. Sebastian the Ibis. Billy Napier vs. Mario Cristobal.
Aug. 31 can't get here fast enough.
Still, we have to wait four-plus months for the UF football team to kick off its third season under Napier against the Hurricanes. Until then, we have much to discover about a Florida team hungry for a winning season and return to national relevance after three straight losing seasons.
That is Napier's mission in 2024 and part of the focus over the past month as the Gators conducted spring camp. Fans get their first glimpse at this year's Gators on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, where the annual Orange & Blue Game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
The stakes will be much higher in the season opener, but the Gators in action on Florida Field is always something to look forward to. And there are many new faces and numbers to learn following an offseason of change inside the Heavener Training Center.
With the field painted and the helmets polished, here is a look at the key storylines entering the spring game:
A VET AND A ROOKIE
Florida's quarterback situation is relatively steady and considered a strength entering a critical season for the program. With sixth-year senior Graham Mertz the starter and five-star freshman DJ Lagway in position to serve as the backup and change-of-pace option, the Gators have experience in Mertz and an intriguing building block in Lagway.
Mertz is recovered from the broken collarbone he suffered near the end of last season and has shown he is fully healthy this spring. Meanwhile, more eyes will likely be on Lagway on Saturday afternoon as the Texas native makes his debut in the Orange & Blue Game.
Quarterback DJ Lagway during the second scrimmage of spring camp. (Photo: Jordan Perez/UAA Communications)
Lagway is indicative of the modern-day, five-star signee. He arrived on campus as the Gatorade National Player of the Year, and with a substantial NIL deal and notoriety more associated with NFL rookies than college freshmen. Mertz is the present. Lagway is the future. They will be rivals Saturday, with Mertz on the Blue Team and Lagway on the Orange Team.
REVAMPED STAFF
The Gators lost their final five games last season to finish 5-7, putting Napier at 11-14 after two seasons. Napier inherited a roster lacking top-tier talent, depth and discipline. He and his army have rebuilt the program over the past 28 months during a chaotic era for college athletics.
Still, the job remains unfinished and, in an attempt to get it done with satisfactory results, Napier revamped his coaching staff in the offseason. Defensive line coach Sean Spencer and secondary coach Corey Raymond were dismissed, and veteran inside linebackers coach Jay Bateman left for Texas A&M.
Veteran defensive assistant Ron Roberts, who was at Auburn a season ago, was hired to help defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, his protégé, and Napier to turn around a defense that has struggled in recent years. Defensive line coach Gerald Chatman and secondary coach Will Harris were hired to replace Spencer and Raymond, and both have shown a high-energy style in spring camp. Last but not least, following the departure of co-offensive line coach Darnell Stapleton to the NFL, Napier hired Jonathan Decoster to replace him. Decoster has NFL and college experience.
TRANSFER TALENT
They come and they go these days in college football, and when they go, you better have replacements lined up. The Gators signed several transfers who will be watched closely on Saturday.
A few to have an eye on: former South Carolina linebacker Grayson Howard, who at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds adds some much-needed size on the defense's second level. Veteran safeties Asa Turner (Washington) and DJ Douglas (Tulane) are upgrades on the back end. Turner (6-3, 212) provides a physical presence in the secondary and Douglas (5-11.75, 212) brings play-making ability to a defense that forced only seven turnovers a season ago.
Defensive lineman Joey Slackman transferred from Penn. (Photo: Jordan Herald/UAA Communications)
Up front, defensive tackle Joey Slackman offers veteran leadership as a newcomer from Penn, where he was named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, and Northern Illinois transfer George Gumbs Jr., who brings toughness and a nasty attitude at the edge rusher position based on what his teammates have said this spring.
The key transfers on offense are former Wisconsin receive Chimere Dike, who has a previous connection with Mertz in the passing game, and offensive linemen Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson (San Diego State) and Devon Manuel (Arkansas).
BREAKOUT CANDIDATE Eugene Wilson III
It might be a stretch to consider sophomore receiver Eugene Wilson III for this role considering he caught 61 passes as a true freshman, but with Ricky Pearsall headed to the NFL, Wilson has an opportunity to increase his impact as a deep threat.
Many of Wilson's receptions came underneath the coverage or were quick-hit shots in the flat, but he has the speed and quickness to create separation down the field to help open up the offense when needed. Regardless of how the Gators use him, Wilson is the most exciting player on the team with the ball in his hands.
SPRING PREVIEW
Napier said the format of the spring game will be similar to what he has used throughout his career. The game ended 10-7 a season ago when kicker Trey Smack booted the game-winning field goal in the final seconds.
The Blue Team has more experience than the Orange Team in this year's game, so Mertz and Co. get the nod. But as we all know, the player fans want to watch the most is Lagway. He is Florida's most highly touted quarterback signee since Tim Tebow and whatever he does Saturday will be closely analyzed.
Still, it's the spring game and the most important part is to avoid injuries and put on a good show for the fans. Look for more than 17 combined points in this one.
QUOTE OF NOTE I
"He proved that he could play clean ball last year. Now it's about trying to improve the calculated risk: let's try to be aggressive and manage the game and eliminate careless play. But let's try to go create more explosive plays and distribute the ball, be the point guard and push the ball down the court." — Napier on Mertz in passing game
QUOTE OF NOTE II
"You can't really succeed until you fail. We're in a unique position. God's been really to us. We're really fortunate, kind of in uncharted waters for a lot of us professionally. When you're young and you're successful, you're boy wonder. When you're not you're boy blunder. That's just part of it." — Armstrong on first season as UF's defensive coordinator
QUOTE OF NOTE III
"A lot of players that played last year for the first time in their career are kind of going through that benefit of being a vet. That's the theme here. We've finally got a group that has some experience." — Napier on defensive outlook
