Billy Napier raves about Joey Slackman's intangibles, potential contributions

As Florida looks to turn things around in Year 3 under coach Billy Napier, one place it will absolutely have to improve is on defense. Enter Penn transfer Joey Slackman, who should be a big part of the team’s shift in 2024.

Slackman was one of the most coveted prospects in the NCAA transfer portal this offseason. Florida landed him.

“Joey, man, what a unique evaluation, right?” Napier said on Wednesday at the SEC Media Days. “Wrestler, goes to college, takes on football, becomes the conference defensive player of the year. Then you get into the metrics, the guy’s 6-3, he’s 300-plus pounds.”

On paper, Slackman has the kind of potential impact that guys like Jared Verse or Braden Fiske have had at nearby rival Florida State. He racked up 50 tackles, 12.0 tackles for a loss, 4.0 sacks, a blocked kick and a pass defended in 2023 despite playing on only one good arm.

Forget the stats and the accolades, though. They might not even be the most important thing Joey Slackman brings to the table.

“Joey’s strengths are the intangibles, man. This guy’s intelligent, he’s got a mindset,” Napier said. “This is one of the few recruits in my time, this guy comes on an official visit. On Sunday I’m getting texts, Monday they’re coming to see me, they are like, ‘Coach, we’ve got to get that guy.’ It was just about his attitude, his energy, his approach. And he’s one of the best leaders we have. I mean he’s done a fantastic job.”

That leadership for a still-young Florida defense could be huge in 2024. Keep in mind, the Gators have been one of the shoddiest defenses nationally the last few years.

Florida ranked 71st in total defense and 78th in scoring defense in 2023. That just won’t cut it.

Joey Slackman, though, is doing what he can to ensure things turn around this fall.

“He had bicep surgery in the offseason, so he was a little slow early, but he has hit the ground running,” Napier said. “He has improved as a player. He looks great right now, and I think he’s got a chance to make the Gators better.”