Billy Napier addresses if he can compete with Texas A&M in NIL

If one program is doing name, image and likeness better than most — it’s Texas A&M. Boasting the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation for the upcoming season, some of the most highly touted high school recruits see the opportunity to benefit off their own brand in College Station.

Florida is in a big market area, surrounded by major cities like Orlando and Jacksonville — Gator head coach Billy Napier believes it takes more than just NIL to sway a young athlete’s final decision on where they’re going to school.

“I think we’ve got to realize that, you know, this is just a portion — this is just a part of [athlete’s college] decision, right?” Napier said. “I mean, I think there’s so much that goes into a decision for a young man independent of name image and likeness, right, but it’s certainly part it’s part of the dynamic that we have now.”

To get to where Napier expects his team to be, Florida has to dominate their in-state recruiting scene once again and become a destination that out-of-state blue chip prospects want to compete at. That, however, is easier said than done but Florida has a good reputation of maintaining strong recruiting classes historically.

“I’m asking myself those same questions every day, so as we go forward here, people will just know, I think, that the leaders within our profession, within this market will adjust and there’s gonna be some things that come with this,” Napier said. “I think a lot of this has to be determined. We’re fortunate we’re in the state of Florida. We’re fortunate in the relationships that we have. We’re going to take full advantage of it while we can.”

On top of TAMU’s top class, Georgia’s national championship has added some extra motivation for new Napier’s determination to turn the Gator program around quickly as well. What Napier recognizes as well — there are national title expectations at Florida, too. But he also knows it takes time. You can’t turn a 6-7 program into an undefeated powerhouse overnight.

“So I think it’s important for us to focus on the things that we can control,” Napier said. “… I think you’ve got to be aware of the competition and know your competition. And certainly, we’ll get into those things as we get closer to competing but right now I’m a little more concerned and working hard on what’s going on inside our house instead of instead of worrying about what the neighbor’s house is doing.”