The annual Orange and Blue game for Florida Football is less than a week away, and this past Saturday was the Gators’ second spring scrimmage of the year.
Three things should be noted after head coach Billy Napier’s remarks during the press conference, which were made behind the podium.
Tackling Is Better
On Friday, we featured a viral video of Teddy Foster, a freshman, taking down Tre Wilson. Following their 2023 season as the poorest tackling team in the SEC, Florida appears to have refocused its emphasis on taking down opponents as of the conclusion of spring training.
Seeing snippets of footage from training is one thing, but witnessing actual performance on the field is quite another. However, Napier believes that there has been a real development in team tackling that goes beyond what is apparent on video.
“The best task we have undertaken since coming here. And specifically in the secondary, I believe. That brings us back to the basics: the ball is declared, the DB is in position to make the tackle. The foundations are superior. Experience is superior. The depth (is superior) of the defense. I believe we have a potential to have a good group over there if we can tackle like we did today, if we can create takeaways like we did today, and if we can play with that kind of energy.”
Florida Will Be Faster In 2024
The general consensus of the Gators in 2023 is that, aside from Ricky Pearsall and Tre Wilson, the wide receiver group didn’t quite live up to the expectations of many supporters.
We have already mentioned the arrival of Tank Hawkins, a freshman who can run the 100 meters in 10.3 seconds, and the addition of Chimere Dike, Graham Mertz’s former colleague who can sprint the 40 yards in 4.4 seconds.
Florida’s receiver group should have a variety of quick options at receiver in 2024 if Aidan Mizell stays healthy.
“We’ve been intentional about adding speed to the roster, especially at receiver.”
Don’t Expect Any Crazy Gimmicks For The Spring Game
Florida is collaborating with Florida Victorious for a post-game meet and greet. When asked about the team selection process for Saturday, Napier didn’t suggest any unusual procedures.
Although he didn’t explicitly state his plans, it’s reasonable to assume that he will follow his past approach. Typically, one side features the first-team offense while the other has the first-team defense. Similarly, both second-team units will be divided accordingly.
Actually, what we typically do is divide the players into teams to ensure a competitive game, considering the availability of each player. Then, we allow the veteran players from each team to draft from all parts of the organization. We split the entire organization in half, giving the players some ownership in their team selection process. They choose their offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, assistant head coach, strength staff, and every other aspect of the organization. This setup adds a competitive edge to the game, with a clear win-or-lose outcome, making it both healthy and enjoyable for everyone involved.