Florida football head coach Billy Napier met with the media on Wednesday during the SEC teleconference.
The Gators are coming off a victory over the Kentucky Wildcats last Saturday and are currently on a bye week.
Napier emphasized using this week to work on improvement and growth, as well as a time to get players healthy. He also talked about the importance of Florida’s first bye week and how the team wants to replicate that because the Gators got better as a unit, especially defensively.
Florida started their season with a 2-2 record and since that bye, they’ve managed to go 2-1 including an overtime loss at Tennessee.
Here’s everything Napier said on Wednesday.
Opening Statement
“We got back on the grass yesterday. Obviously, the open date coming at a good time. I do think we’ve got some areas on our team where we could – this week will be critical, so good fundamental work yesterday.
“We will put the pads on again today and tomorrow, and these will be a very competitive, you know, we’ll be working a bunch of situations that we feel like we need to improve at, and certainly, we’re trying to develop other, you know, some of these young players on our team to get ready for the stretch that we got coming up.
“So just really working on getting some of these vets healthy, and then obviously developing some of the young players. Really pleased with the leadership on our team and our staff, I thought they did a great job. We were well-prepared and played extremely hard against Kentucky.
“Obviously, we have areas where we need to continue to improve, you know, and that’s what we’re consumed with right now. So excited about this week and what it can do to help our team. We got to continue to work here to improve.”
The importance of the first bye week for the Gators
“I think ultimately that week was about our players taking ownership of the first part of the season, you know, I think the staff did a really good job. I think there was a ton of collaboration between players and staff, and that’s what made it work, you know, I think we have – this group has got some character, you know, I really respect the resiliency that they’ve shown.
“Obviously could have splintered a while back, but I think ultimately we continue to improve as a team.
“So yeah, I mean, I think we ultimately put the ball down, we did a ton of call-it, moved the field, we worked a bunch of situations, we made it very competitive, and I think that that led to better practice habits. I think there were also a lot of other areas, from a technical standpoint, that we worked on specifically.
“But, yeah, we’re going to do the same thing today and tomorrow that we did in the prior open date, and I think that allows us – got to keep the sword sharp. You know, obviously getting ready to play against some elite teams over the next couple of weeks.”
DJ Lagway’s unique abilities and willingness to attack downfield
“Well, I think he (Lagway) – probably what’s unique is just the accuracy of the deep ball. I mean, I think that’s what jumps out to me, is, you know, when he does throw it in the deep part of the field, down the middle of the field, or on the outside third, is his accuracy, and he showed that.
“He’s got a, a really unique talent that he has, you know, he’s been able to be very accurate with it down the field. So he’s going through progressions, much like all of our quarterbacks do, I just think when he does pull the trigger, he’s able to throw a strike, you know.
“So I think that’s the strength of his, obviously we’re going to build off of that created a bunch of explosive plays the other day. That’s a big part of winning, you know, I think the turnover margin was like seven to one, and we created a bunch of explosives, and that’s a recipe for success and winning football, so we have to continue to do it.”
Regarding Jabbar Juluke’s impact and the running back room
“Well Jabbar (Juluke), I think number one Jabbar, was a high school coach, you know, and I think he has a unique, sincere care for players. He does a great job mentoring the players, and runs a tight ship, you know. He does a nice job really modeling what you would want from the players, and then he holds them very accountable.
“I never have to worry about the running backs, I mean, that group is always toeing the line, and they do it off the field, and they have great practice habits.
“And he does a good job teaching, and he has got a framework for success. I mean, I think obviously at Louisiana, we had three NFL backs. We were very productive there with the other players that we had, Chris Smith, Emani Bailey, not to mention the three NFL players, Trey Ragas, Elijah Mitchell, Raymond Calais. And then we come here, we bring Montrell (Johnson) with us, obviously. And then Trevor Etienne, as a rookie, played well for us.
“And then these guys are the next, next generation, you know. I think Jadan (Baugh) obviously stepped up for our team in a major way. And there’s a culture in that room. And I think you take guys like Montrell Johnson, they’re good examples to guys like Jadan Baugh who obviously has some ability.
“We got good solid play from Ja’Kobi (Jackson) as well. And we’re excited about potentially KD Daniels. KD, he’s starting to become, he’s getting healthier, I would say.
“So it’s a good room, you know, we got to keep them healthy. And obviously, Treyaun Webb is on that list as well, and he’s obviously closer to being available for the game. So feel good about getting healthy over the next couple weeks with that group.”
Fan interaction and urgency to make quick decisions on reviewed calls
“Yeah. I mean, I think your first question there, I think any time we spend on that, we’re wasting time. I think we have an obligation to the people that we lead, that we have to try to be objective and make decisions in the best interest of the team.
“I mean we coach football and play football in the SEC, it’s always going to be very passionate. You’re always going to have, there’s always going to be a ton of praise and there’s always going to be a ton of criticism, right? So we just have to stay the course and continue to, you know, work extremely hard for our people.
“I do think the officiating piece, look, we have – those guys have got a difficult job to do, much like we do. So, you know, I think ultimately, for me, we try to do as much as we can on our end to educate our staff and our players throughout the year, have a good working relationship with those guys, and then obviously, anytime we disagree, we express that. It’s very professional.
“And certainly in our league, I would say that we have as good of crews as anywhere in the country, so no complaining on my end. I’ve got my own grass to mow at the University of Florida.”
Coming up for Florida
The Gators are off next week due to their bye week. The next matchup for Florida will be against the Georgia Bulldogs on Nov. 2 in Jacksonville. That game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on ABC.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.