Billy Napier discusses potential for breakout stars on defensive line

Florida football will need a much better effort from its defense to exceed its win total from a year ago. New head coach Billy Napier is trying to ensure that the necessary development occurs. However, the new head of the Gators is optimistic about that side of the ball, and the defensive line individually. Where he believes Florida has found some veteran leaders to step up.

At a recent press conference, Napier was asked specifically about the defensive line and whether the team has gotten leadership from there. He answered yes, that the DL has some leading voices in the locker room. Including a former player who’s now back as an assistant and has helped the Florida front tremendously this offseason.

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Here was Napier’s full answer:

Yeah, no I think that group is one of the areas where we have some inexperienced players that I think have made progress. You know, Tyreak Sapp, Justus Boone, Princely Umanmielen. Maybe, you know, there’s a handful of guys there that — how much have they really played in a game when it counts, right? So those guys needed to make progress. I think they have made progress and I do believe that they’re going to continue to improve right.”

So several second and third-year players that Napier thinks will grow into bigger roles this season.

“They’re nowhere near, I think, where they’re going. But I think all those guys have improved. Tyreak in particular. Princely also has really impressed me. But those are some. There’s a lot of examples. Like when you look at the participation chart, we got a lot of players that are going to be playing that hadn’t played much in games before, right. So I think those guys that are examples of that, you know, sharif obviously did an internship with the cowboys. I mean he’s back. School started today, so he’s been back a couple days.”

Billy Napier then explained how helpful former Gator Sarrif Floyd has been since re-joining the team.

“Sharrif’s been nothing but first class since I’ve been here. He’s back earning his degree. Got a bright future, I think, in football. And, you know, as an exceptional player, I think he’s got character. I think he understands the big picture. Takes pride in his role. And certainly him being able to coach on the field, I think it’s an advantage for our players. This guy’s a first-round pick, you know. He played a number of years in the league and has a good understanding of the fundamentals of that position. So he’ll play a critical role in the practice format going forward, starting tomorrow.”