Billy Napier: 'I have nothing but great things to say about Anthony'

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier extended high praise for quarterback Anthony Richardson as the team nears a Saturday night kickoff versus No. 7 Utah.

“I have nothing but great things to say about Anthony,” Napier said. “You don’t know until you get on the inside. Obviously, we watched him play from afar. I remember sitting down and watching the Oklahoma game and when he went in I was like, wow, that guy has a bright future. He made a few plays in that game that I thought were pretty special.

“I can’t say it enough, he’s selfless, he’s humble, he cares about people. He’s a diligent worker and a great example to his teammates. He’s learning how to be a big-time quarterback and he’s getting comfortable with his role. Very impressed with some of the growth from a leadership standpoint. He’s been dreaming of this opportunity and I can’t wait to watch him play.”

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Reporters asked the first-year Gators coach what he thinks of the QB representing the Gainesville community after growing up in the area and attending Eastside High School.

“It’s unique in the fact that he’s from right here,” Napier said. “I do believe there are a lot of things that come with this game and a lot of the things we encourage the players to do, they help themselves by doing that. They make an impact on young people that are watching. It’s not just the time that you’re between the lines at the Swamp. I think he’s got an incredible platform and I’ve been impressed with his approach.”

Dan Mullen selects Anthony Richardson as Heisman sleeper

Last season, Anthony Richardson spent most of the year as the backup behind Emory Jones. Now, he’s preparing to start a new season in Gainesville — and his former coach thinks he’s in for a big one in 2022.

Dan Mullen, now an ESPN analyst after parting ways with Florida late in the 2021 season, put Richardson among his potential Heisman Trophy candidates for this year. Expectations are high for the sophomore quarterback under new coach Billy Napier, and he’ll begin his first year as the starter on Saturday against Utah.

In fact, Richardson will face another one of Mullen’s Heisman sleepers in that season-opening game. He put Cameron Rising in that category, along with UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee.

Last year under Mullen’s watch at Florida, Richardson threw for 529 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions in seven appearances. But he put together an impressive spring and now that Jones is at Arizona State, it’s his time to shine.