Billy Napier details how Graham Mertz, Jack Miller can build off of spring game performances

Following the Orange and Blue Game, Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier broke down the performances of Graham Mertz and Jack Miller, explaining how the two can build off their performances.

This comes as Mertz and Miller are competing with one another to replace Anthony Richardson as Florida’s starting quarterback.

“I think tonight I was probably a little bit frustrated with how the players around them were playing, to some degree,” Billy Napier said. “I think just in terms of the cleanness of the game, you know, but overall, there’s no — I mean, just the experience for both kids, right? Interacting with both sidelines, both offensive units, being in that setting, responding to the good and the bad. I mean, there was a ton of adversity out there tonight and that gives each guy some experience in that regard.”

The spring game was difficult at times for the Florida offenses. Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin even took to Twitter, where he trolled the Gators. On top of that, Billy Napier admitted that he expects to add another quarterback in the transfer portal.

“So, you’d like to be a little bit cleaner but they managed the game as best they could. Now, I don’t know that we threw it to the other team, tonight, did we? I think we had one turnover, a couple turnovers on downs. So, overall, could have been better on the offense tonight, and quarterback play, I say this to you all the time, sometimes they get too much credit, sometimes it gets too much blame,” Napier said.

“Ultimately, for a quarterback to play well, the players around them have got to play well. So, we’ll watch the tape. I’ll be able to give you more feedback next opportunity we get together.”

Billy Napier on the big issue from Florida’s spring game

It was, clearly, a frustrating game for the Florida Gators. However, Billy Napier pointed to one, big issue as the primary problem. It came back to failures on the offensive line, which he had recently praised.

“I think the pocket was a little muddy tonight. That’s one thing I’d say standing out behind it. I think the defensive line and their pressure created issues. Overall, that was the big issue in my opinion. I didn’t think the pocket was very clean,” Napier said.

“I do think they made some plays as the pocket broke down and made some plays with their feet. But, overall, it was fast, it was physical out there. I think, defensively in particular, we tackled well. And I think they did a good job mixing it up. The pressure was a factor tonight.”