Steve Spurrier thinks this Florida walk-on could see action in 2023

Billy Napier already praised walk-on quarterback Micah Leon for stepping up while Jack Miller is out, and now it’s the Head Ball Coach’s is chiming in.

Former Florida head coach Steve Spurrier isn’t expecting a “great, great year” from the Gators in 2023, but he told Inside the Gators’ Chris Will that he thinks the team is capable of winning a bowl game and putting together a good season.

One of the reasons Spurrier isn’t projecting a national championship season is that he knows just how much turnover there was in Gainesville this offseason. Most of the Dan Mullen-era players are gone, and Billy Napier is working with a roster that’s almost completely comprised of players he picked. But that means there’s a lot of inexperience in the Swamp too.

One of the new players that’s standing out to the head ball coach is quarterback Micah Leon, who joined the team as a preferred walk-on. He spent five seasons between N.C. State and Connecticut before taking a gap year from football in 2022.

“I like that other kid that’s come along. I think his last name is Leon,” Spurrier said. “He was like the third or so. But it seems, like coach Napier said, every time he’s in there, the ball goes up and down the field in a good way.

“So, don’t be surprised if Leon plays some here real soon.”

Napier named Graham Mertz the starting quarterback of the team halfway through fall camp. At the time, most assumed that Jack Miller III would back him up, but now it seems like Leon has a solid chance to fill that role.

Miller is dealing with an injury, leaving redshirt freshman Max Brown as the lone scholarship quarterback remaining on the roster, but Leon has earned enough praise over fall camp to warrant consideration.

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Florida’s 7th-year senior turning heads at fall camp

Florida is once again dealing with quarterback injuries, but a surprising member of the position room is stepping up during fall camp.

Florida head coach Billy Napier named Graham Mertz the starting quarterback of the Gators last week, but now another battle is brewing in the position room.

Jack Miller III is dealing with tendinitis in his rotator cuff, which means the backup spot on the depth chart is up for grabs. Most who follow the team closely would expect redshirt freshman Max Brown to step into that role, but it’s seventh-year college veteran [autotag]Micah Leon[/autotag] who is turning heads during fall camp.

“Now, Micah has proved to be very effective,” Napier said. “He’s smart, he’s a student of the game. The guy throws a really good ball.”

Napier looked excited about the possibility of the walk-on getting a shot when talking to the media on Saturday.

“Man, these scrimmages, he just moves the ball right down the field every time,” he said. “Micah has done a really nice job and we’ve given him some reps and he’s made the most of those reps.”

When pressed for a firm answer, Napier didn’t explicitly state that Leon was in the running for the backup spot, but he didn’t deny it either.

“We’re giving him reps for a reason,” he said.

Leon made his college debut in 2021, completing 10 of 13 passes for 62 yards for the UConn Huskies against Houston. If Miller’s injury persists, he could see the field again. Leon would have opportunities in blowouts and kneel-down situations as a backup.

“First of all the guy is an experienced player. He’s played some football in the past,” Napier said. “Micah is a guy that wanted to go to graduate school at the University of Florida, had aspirations considering coaching to some degree, so (he’s) a guy that brought a lot to that room, you know, and I think we are always looking for guys like him.”

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Gators add former UConn quarterback as preferred walk-on

Florida found another quarterback to add to the roster before spring camp begins. Welcome to the Swamp, Micah Leon!

Florida is adding former Connecticut and NC State quarterback [autotag]Micah Leon[/autotag] to the roster as a preferred walk-on, according to All Gators’ Zach Goodall.

Leon most recently played for the Connecticut Huskies from 2019-2021 before entering the transfer portal for a second time. He started his college career at North Carolina State as a walk-on but transferred from there after redshirting in 2017 and riding the bench in 2018.

He never ended up getting much playing time at UConn despite coming in on scholarship. Leon made just one appearance for the Huskies in 2021, but he did complete 10 of his 13 pass attempts for 62 yards.

In high school, Leon spent time with American Heritage Del Ray Stallions during an FHSAA 3A state championship run. He transferred to Boca Raton High to serve as a captain for the Bobcats his senior year and finished the season with 1,085 yards and 11 touchdowns through the air while adding 555 yards and another 11 touchdowns on the ground.

This will be his final season of eligibility, which could give him a leg up on UF’s other walk-on quarterbacks, freshmen [autotag]Parker Leise[/autotag] (IMG Academy) and [autotag]Jordan Gile[/autotag] (Chattanooga Christian School). Leise is already on campus, and Gile is a commit.

Florida will have Wisconsin transfer [autotag]Graham Mertz[/autotag], former Ohio State quarterback [autotag]Jack Miller III[/autotag] and redshirt freshman [autotag]Max Brown[/autotag] to handle the bulk of the snaps under center this year.

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