Ricky Pearsall opens up about Billy Napier's business-like approach

SEC Media Days were a business trip for Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, as he sported an all black suit inspired by the John Wick action movie franchise.

But Pearsall has always been about his business, and when he decided to enter the transfer portal after spending three seasons at Arizona State, the business-like approach by then new head coach Billy Napier is one of the major things that appealed to the Gators wideout.

“Yeah I mean right away even when I went on my visit initially he’s a business guy,” Pearsall said. “He’s all serious, he’s all about business and I am too so that’s what made me fall in love with him.”

Pearsall definitely was about his business last season, leading the Gators in receiving yards and touchdowns with 661 yards and five touchdowns on the season. He was an explosive, big-play target for Florida last year averaging 20 yards per catch, leading all SEC wideouts with 15 catches or more.

His playmaking unfortunately didn’t contribute much to wins for the Gators, as they finished their first season under Napier with a 6-7 record and lost their final three games of the season. But Pearsall is confident that the team’s approach paired with trust in Napier at the helm could take Florida to new heights this upcoming season.

“And I feel like the rest of the team is like that too, we’re on a business trip,” Pearsall said. “This means everything to us this year so we’re just putting our full trust and faith in him and we know he’s gonna take us to the right place.”

Napier on Florida’s quarterback competition

Many Florida fans are wondering whose going to be throwing the ball to Pearsall in the 2023 season, as the Gator’s quarterback competition continues through the offseason.

Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz and the Ohio State transfer from last offseason Jack Miller continue to battle for the starting job, and at SEC Media Days Napier gave an update on the ongoing quarterback battle.

“I’ve been very impressed with Graham,” Napier said. “Graham’s a 32-start player, he’s played over 2,000 snaps at a really established program in Wisconsin and we went through an extensive process to make that decision. I think Graham’s an accomplished player, but more importantly, I’ve been impressed with the person and the leader. This guy has an incredible work ethic, he is in the building and he is fanatical about his preparation. I think that has helped the competition, I think it’s caused Jack to respond. Jack’s had an incredible offseason and he’s in position for a great camp.”