Billy Napier discusses addition of Ricky Pearsall, Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman

Billy Napier had a rebuilding job on his hands when he took over the Florida job this offseason. Part of that required fixing a pretty subpar passing game from 2021. So he brought in a pair of receivers this summer, Ricky Pearsall and Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman. Pearsall a productive receiver out of Arizona State heading into his senior year, and TCB a coveted wideout from the JuCo ranks. Experienced guys that could play right away.

At SEC Media Days, Napier got a chance to address their additions and what they mean for position group as a whole. Read below:

“I like our receiver group. I mean we’ve got a handful of really good players. Some with experience. Some that I think are very capable. I think we needed complementary players.”

Napier then offered a basketball metaphor to explain the WR room.

“I’d say the receiving group is like a basketball team. You need a center, a power forward, three guard, two guard and you need a point guard. You need some diversity in the room.”

He believes the two recent additions certainly added to that level of versatility he desires.

“I think we added a couple players that have some of that. Things we needed: speed, change of direction, run after catch, vertical threat. I think both these guys do that.”

Napier then went in-depth on the two guys, explaining why their background and tape appealed to him.

“Ricky obviously has been a very productive player and was the leading receiver at Arizona State. Has film, there’s no question that he’s garnered the respect of our team so far in just eight, nine weeks.

“Then Thai got banged up a little bit early on, but Thai’s earning respect as well. He was just a guy who passed our evaluation. He was in this class and we found out he was available — he’s a high school qualifier. So we made a decision to go ahead and bring him in. He has character. He’s been mentored by some great receiver coaches and receivers. His brother played at Northwestern. Had a cup of coffee in the League. You know, he’s got a football background. I think he’s got really good intangibles. I think he’s going to bring some things to our team.

Lastly, Billy Napier summed up the additions by saying:

“So two good players, both passed the evaluation. I think good people and good players.”