Billy Napier, on night of 2023 NFL Draft, says 'you're getting a generational talent' with Anthony Richardson

The 2023 NFL Draft is only hours away at this point, which will pit NFL teams with an interesting decision when it comes to Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson.

No quarterback that has been selected in the first round of the draft in the last 20 years has had as few college starts as Richardson’s 13.

But his college coach, Florida’s Billy Napier, is confident that he’ll be a weapon for whoever drafts him, given enough time to develop over the next few years.

“I think you’re getting generational talent,” Napier said live on ESPN about two hours before the 2023 NFL Draft. “I think it’s pretty well-documented what he was able to do at the Combine. This is an inexperienced player. First-year starter last year. Best football’s in front of him. Phenomenal young man. Humble. Twenty years old and one of the best athletes I’ve ever seen with my own two eyes.”

Richardson broke NFL Combine records for quarterbacks in both the vertical jump and the broad jump. He also blazed a terrific 40-yard dash at unprecedented size for that speed. Those performances instantly vaulted him up several 2023 NFL Draft boards.

They were also things that often popped up on tape from his days at Florida, even if they weren’t consistent.

And that’s ultimately the question when it comes to Richardson. Can he become more consistent and more effective as a passer given enough time after completing just 53.8% of his passes in his lone year as the starter.

“He’s an elite thrower. Don’t underestimate, this guy can score on any play,” Napier said. “He’s got unique running ability, 6-4, 250 pounds. I think you’re seeing the college game carry over to the NFL game. They build offenses around the skill set of the quarterback, and this guy’s unique in that regard.”

Here’s a take from an NFL Draft analyst prior to the 2023 NFL Draft.

Writes Lance Zierlein for NFL.com in evaluating Richardson as a prospect:

Dual-threat quarterback with an elite physical profile and a lot of work that needs to be done to reach a potentially high ceiling. Richardson’s frame, arm talent and mobility will demand respect as a potential first-round option. He has the ability to make plays on the move that very few of his NFL peers will be able to make. However, but his accuracy on short and simple throws left much to be desired due, in part, to shoddy footwork and inconsistent rhythm. The footwork issues can be corrected, but the challenge will be determining whether he can be at least a functionally accurate passer at the next level.

“Richardson’s potential to strike with the deep ball, attack the secondary from sideline to sideline and gash teams with his legs creates greater leeway in his projection as a developmental prospect. Ultimately, he will succeed or fail based on his ability to play with better post-snap recognition and deliver the football with consistency.”