Billy Napier details progression of Jack Miller, Anthony Richardson with new playbook

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier is implementing a new playbook for the offense next season and quarterbacks Jack Miller and Anthony Richardson are working hard to master it. The duo has been soaking up the new information in the Gators’ spring ball practices and walk-throughs. So, what does Napier think of Richardson and Miller’s progression so far? Well on Tuesday, he provided an update on their progress thus far as the Gators prepare for another season in the SEC.

“Yeah, I mean, I think the quarterbacks as a whole, you know this is a developmental game right. I mean, I think it’s important to understand that we do a lot more practice than we do play right when it comes to football. So this is where you learn right. This is where you develop as a player. And regardless of your experience level this is where you get your first experience,” said Napier on Tuesday.

Miller was the second quarterback to leave Columbus this past season, as true freshman Quinn Ewers also departed and ended up at Texas. He announced his decision to transfer to Florida back in December, as reported by On3’s Matt Zenitz. Quarterbacks C.J. Stroud and Kyle McCord remain on the Buckeyes roster. They were the No. 1 and No. 2 signal callers this season, while Miller was considered the third-string option.

Richardson split time as the starter last season with Emory Jones, who is currently in the transfer portal. Richardson is believed to be Napier’s likely starter for 2022. However, he had a tough offseason, after he was forced to miss the Gasparilla Bowl in 2021 after undergoing knee surgery. He was able to recover in time to get some work in during the Gators’ Spring practices.

Former Florida QB Emory Jones enters the transfer portal

The Gasparilla Bowl was Emory Jones’ last game in a Florida uniform. Jones told the Gators he plans to enter the transfer portal Friday, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

GatorsOnline reported Dec. 15 Jones intended to enter the portal after the bowl game.

Jones finished the regular season 10th in the SEC with 213.6 passing yards and 58 rushing yards per game this season. He was a big part of the Gators offense, accounting for 57.8% of the Gators’ total offense this year. He’ll have two years of eligibility left.

Florida parted ways with coach Dan Mullen prior to its regular-season finale against Florida State, and the Gators hired Louisiana coach Billy Napier in December to replace him.

Jones was a four-star recruit out of high school from the Class of 2018 and was the No. 11 quarterback from that class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Jones held offers from Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State, among others, out of high school.

His biggest game this year came against Samford when he threw for 464 yards and six touchdowns, ran for 86 yards and a touchdown and led Florida to a 70-52 comeback victory over FCS Samford on Nov. 13.