Billy Napier happy with progress made by offensive line

With a new quarterback getting ready to take over for the Florida Gators in 2023, head coach Billy Napier knows that it was important for the offensive line to take strides forward this offseason.

While speaking to the media during spring ball, Napier praised the progress that the unit has made to this point.

“I feel good about, in particular, I think the new players have affected our team,” Billy Napier said.

“They’ve improved our depth and we are without Jalen Farmer, Kamryn Waites, you know, so I think that young players — Knijeah Harris has become a factor. I’ve been really impressed with Richie Leonard’s growth. You know, and then obviously Kingsley [Eguakun] and Austin [Barber], you know, our veteran players. Then the other tackles. I think Kiyaunte [Goodwin] and Damieon [George] have done a nice job. [Jake] Slaughter has stepped up.”

With Anthony Richardson likely being replaced by Graham Mertz, the line is going to need to be sturdier, with Mertz playing more from the pocket.

“So, I think that group has, you know, we’ve got a chance to have a good unit. We just gotta put five out there and we practice about 15 guys every day. So, a lot of combinations, a lot of contingency plans,” Napier said.

“And one thing I would say about that group is they’re going against a much improved front. Taller. Longer. Fundamentally, [the] defensive line is much improved. The edge players. There’s a lot of new personnel on the defense that’ forced the offensive line. They’re in a very competitive setting every day.”

Billy Napier on what to expect from the spring game

Ahead of Florida’s spring game, Billy Napier explained that he expects the team to display the work it’s put forward to his point.

“I think these guys have worked extremely hard. And this is an opportunity to kind of put that on display. I think as a competitor, it’s not the end all be all, you know, but I think we’re much improved. Our systems are better, processes are better, we’re fundamentally a lot further along. I think a lot of the newcomers are explosive players. I think they’re impact players and I think they’re gonna be out there playing. So it’s gonna be a lot of fun to watch,” Napier said.

“You know, anytime you’ve got new quarterbacks, you got 27 rookies, right, that you know, a top 10 recruiting class in the country,” Napier said. “And all of them are here except four of them, you know? Not to mention a bunch of veterans that I think have taken strides so, you know, (I’m proud of how) hard this group has worked. And certainly, you know, I know our fans have shown up, and hopefully we’ll make it a lot of fun to watch.”