Billy Napier goes in depth on Anthony Richardson's progression, plans to build offense around him

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier wants to build his offense around QB1 Anthony Richardson – and believes he has all the intangibles to be the leader of this team. According to Napier, Richardson is rising to the occasion as well.

“Couldn’t ask for much more in terms of humility and consistency, the attitude. I think he’s bright, he’s got character. He does all the things that you would want a quarterback to do. Like, you know, the guys are really an inexperienced player,” Napier said. “I know we all want to put a crown on his head, but the guy has completed 33 passes in his career. You know the great quarterbacks at the University of Florida, they complete 33 in one game.

“… There’s a certain level of responsibility that comes with all this. He’s a young man, but as far as what I’m observing is a guy that’s excited about the opportunity. And I think one of the cool things about this kid is he rises to the occasion. I think the brighter the lights get, the better he is. I want him to bring that same level of urgency to every meeting ,every walkthrough, every practice trip. I want the players in the room to change when he walks in the room. I want the players on the field to change when he’s on the field. I think playing a quarterback is a lot about how you influence other people in the expectations that you have and your example.”

Last season, he threw for 526 yards on 38 for 54 passing and six touchdowns in seven appearances for the Gators. The sophomore arrived in Gainesville as a four-star recruit and the No. 15 quarterback prospect from the Class of 2020, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

While he split time under center with Emory Jones last year, Richardson will be well off as primary signal caller. The first time fans were able to see the QB1 version of Richardson during the spring game back in April. He completed 18 of 24 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns to help his team to a 34-0 victory. Sure, it was just the spring game, but it was a glimpse into what Gator Nation can expect out of Richardson this year.

“I think the big challenge for Anthony right now is for him to fully embrace, ‘okay, I am that standard, match my detail, match my intensity, match my focus, match my approach, right? And [he’s] walking around if anybody’s got a question about how things should be done. When it comes to University of Florida and our football program, they should be able to look at the quarterback and say, ‘okay, I’m gonna watch him and then I’m gonna do it like he does it.'”

The Gators will bank on a hot start to 2022 for Richardson, as they have their hands full to begin the 2022 college football season. 

Hosting the Utah Utes – a team that nearly took down Ohio State in a classic, record-setting Rose Bowl matchup last season – in Gainesville during Week One. Fast forward to Week Two, and the Kentucky Wildcats come to town boasting one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in Will Levis.

If Florida wants to start their season 2-0 – a necessity if they want to find themselves in contention for an SEC East title – it’ll be predicated on Richardson’s ability to command the Gators offense. Kentucky was selected to finish second in the division behind reigning national champions Georgia, meaning an upset is needed early to make the jump past the Wildcats and back into contention for a SEC Championship.