Billy Napier explains how Diwun Black has taken steps forward off the field

Florida head coach Billy Napier spoke about the steps that former-JUCO linebacker recruit Diwun Black has taken off the field to become a leader on the field. Black was originally set to join the Gators in 2018 as a recruit, but was deemed ineligible. As a result, his path to Florida included a stop at the JUCO level before making the Florida roster. According to Napier, Black has become a great student and an even better addition to the program.

Billy Napier on Diwun Black

“What you see out there is what we’ve been observing each day,” said Napier of Black. “The guy’s got some height and length and he’s very instinctive. Even when he’s wrong a little bit, he can make it right and often times makes plays. He is productive on a consistent basis. One thing I would say about Diwun Black, during identity program I wrote his name down multiple days. He’s probably the gold standard when it came to effort in the program. And the guys really bought in.

“I’ll say this, he’s completely changed his reputation in the building relative to his attitude, his work ethic. How he goes about his business. He’s really academically had a decent semester. He needs to continue to work hard, but I’ve been very pleased. Because what you see out there today we see everyday in practice. It’s amazing to me how a guy that’s physically gifted — we got a lot of physically gifted [players], we’ve got talent — but it’s about who you are as a person. I firmly believe better people make better football players. We can focus on the intangibles and these guys live life the right way, go about things the right way. Football will come. And I think he’s a good example of that.”

The “Identity” program that Napier referred to is part of his year-long plan as he took over the Florida program. The eight-phase plan began it’s second phase called “Identity” earlier in the offseason, a time when Black took over as a leader in the effort department.

Black saw action in ten games last season, but did not find a meaningful role on the defense last season. This year, under a new coach and a seemingly new sense of effort — Black has been a standout player for the Gators in the offseason.