Category: Florida Gators

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Billy Napier didn’t sound like a coach who’s days at Florida are numbered. Napier was ready to get to work during the bye week as the Gators prepare for an Oct. 5 visit from UCF (3-0). A 45-28 win Saturday at Mississippi State was a start, but much ground remains to make up. “It’s good to win a game like that and go into the open date,” Napier said. “I told him in the locker room, Look, we’re going to rest and recover, but when you show up Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week, we’re working. “We have work to do to improve, and we’ve got to put all of our heads together...

GAINESVILLE — Florida’s sputtering offense will be without top playmaker Tre Wilson for the second week as the Gators seek a rare road win at Mississippi State. The team’s leading receiver, with 13 catches for 191 yards, is out a week after he was questionable with an undisclosed injury but did not play during a 33-20 loss at home to Texas A&M. “We’re definitely a better team with Tre Wilson,” coach Billy Napier said following Wednesday’s practice. The SEC announced Wilson’s status at 8:10 p.m., after Napier had addressed reporters. He did say Wilson was injured during the Gators’ 45-7 win...

GAINESVILLE — Billy Napier could breathe a little easier following a rough week that culminated with a much-needed and morale-boosting 45-7 win against Samford on Saturday night in the Swamp. Napier’s prospects still appear bleak at UF, which led just 14-0 at halftime against a 38.5-point underdog on the Gators’ home field. But Florida’s future is bright with true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway The nation’s top quarterback recruit in 2024 replaced injured veteran Graham Mertz (concussion) during last week’s 41-17 season-opening no-show against resurgent Miami. This week Lagway took charge from...

The 49ers placed Ricky Pearsall on the reserve/non-football injury list Monday as he recovers from being shot during an attempted robbery over the weekend, ruling him out for at least the first four games of their season. Pearsall, 23, will be eligible to come off the list for their Oct. 6 game against the Arizona Cardinals, though the team has given no indication whether he is expected to be ready to play by then. The 49ers signed offensive tackle Brandon Parker to a one-year deal to take Pearsall’s spot on the 53-man roster. Pearsall, the 49ers’ first-round pick in this spring’s NFL draft,...

GAINESVILLE — Florida will have veteran tailback Montrell Johnson Jr. back in the lineup to challenge Miami’s talented defensive front when the Gators host the No. 19 Hurricanes Saturday in the Swamp. Johnson underwent minor knee surgery during the first week of fall camp, jeopardizing the start of his senior season. But the team’s leading rusher in 2022 and 2023 has been taking practice reps and sits atop the team’s depth chart released Wednesday. “He’s ready to go,” coach Billy Napier said. The Gators’ depth at tailback provides options, but the 5-foot-11 ¼ 216-pound Johnson offers superior...

GAINESVILLE — Florida’s visit from No. 19 Miami on Saturday in the Swamp has a make-or-break feel. A victory would provide season-opening optimism for Billy Napier. A loss would rekindle doomsday scenarios for the third-year coach. Neither result or reaction might have staying power against a schedule featuring seven subsequent preseason Top-25 foes. But perception is reality when a program is coming consecutive losing seasons featuring just two wins in 11 meetings with ranked opponents. “We understand,” Napier said. “One of the things about this group of players: They’ve got pretty good awareness....

The Gators’ season-opening visit from Miami will begin to answer the questions swirling around coach Billy Napier and his program. Besides Napier, what players and assistants are on the spot? Is Miami the biggest game of a pivotal season? What has Napier done to impress and what does he have to do to survive? During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark provide some answers. Biggest non-conference game (:00) Biggest conference game (10:00) Offensive player (12:56) Offensive assistant/analyst (18:18) Encouraged by Billy Napier’s… (24:12) Want to see out of Napier (25:40) Final record prediction...

Florida enters the final days of fall camp with competition at its highest level under Billy Napier. The Gators’ depth has helped them weather top tailback Montrell Johnson’s knee injury. The team’s leading rusher from 2022-23 is on the mend, but will he be ready for Miami? Having more options also requires difficult decisions. Napier calls it a “good problem to have.” In the coming week, he and his staff will have to put together the pieces to position the Gators to beat the ‘Canes. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar try to keep pace during the homestretch of the preseason. On...

GAINESVILLE — The Florida football team moved into the team’s indoor practice facility Wednesday evening as thunderstorms neared during the Gators’ 12th practice of fall camp. Coach Billy Napier planned to elevate the competition among his players during Week 3 as UF prepared for its second scrimmage Saturday in the Swamp. The Gators will be off Thursday and return to the field Friday. UF provided a 12-minute window for reporters to observe individual drills. Florida running back Montrell Johnson Jr. speaks during July 17 during SEC media days in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter) Top takeaway:...