Napier’s blue-chip transfer addition could finally be discussed when he visited Tampa on Monday.
TAMPA — Florida Gators coach Billy Napier enhanced his receiving corps late last week with the commitment of Arizona State transfer Elijhah Badger.
With the paperwork finalized, Napier commented on Badger’s addition Monday night during a stop on his Gators Caravan tour at The Westshore Grand.
Napier’s scouting report: “He’s got a good catch radius. He’s tough, has special teams value, returner value, and I think he’s a good run-after-catch player.”
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Badger demonstrated his skills with the Sun Devils, recording 135 receptions for 1,579 yards and 10 touchdowns over his final two seasons. Napier, a former Arizona State assistant, leveraged his familiarity with the program to vet and secure one of the top receivers in the spring transfer portal window.
Badger was a top-200 high school recruit from California and a four-star transfer prospect. His addition has elevated Florida’s transfer portal class to No. 5 in the nation.
Badger also brings valuable experience to a relatively young receiver group.
“It gives us time to develop some of the younger players in the room and certainly provides (quarterback Graham) Mertz with an additional weapon for his final year,” Napier said.
The Gators will kick off Napier’s third season on August 31 against Miami.
We’ll have more updates from Napier’s stop in Tampa later.
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