Richard Gouraige gives early impression of Billy Napier

Florida Gators tackle Richard Gouraige joined quarterback Anthony Richardson and linebacker Ventrell Miller at SEC Media Days in Atlanta last week. He discussed some of the things he’s learned from his first few months with new head coach Billy Napier, including his “disappointed dad” look.

“Every time he’s disappointed, it’s like a disappointed dad a little bit,” Gouraige said during his time at the podium. “He’s like, ‘Come on, man,’ I’m like alright, I know what I did wrong. Having him on the team has been phenomenal for the guys. He’s a great leader.

Reporters asked Gouraige about how Napier demands his players carry around writing utensils, which was a tidbit Ventrell Miller let slip during his press conference. It shows Napier’s old-school style of operating but also his attention to organization and detail.

“Coach Napier preaches that we should always bring pen and paper because he says writing things down will help you process and take in information, you’ll always remember looking at that paper. He preaches just taking it day by day, keep getting each other better, don’t worry about the future. That’s his overall message.”

Gouraige, now going into his fifth season in Gainesville, was a Dan Mullen recruit in the 2018 class out of Tampa, Florida. Coming out of high school, he was a four-star prospect and No. 99 in the nation, according to the On3 Consensus.

Gouraige reveals Florida’s top rival

Florida has plenty of rivals in the SEC. They face Tennessee every year and they face Georgia in the annual Cocktail Party game in Jacksonville. However, veteran Richard Gouraige pegged Florida’s yearly game with LSU as the most exciting matchup on the docket each season.

One reporter asked him at SEC Media Days about the game with the Tigers and how it stacks up to Florida’s other rivalries.

“Oh yeah, man,” Gouraige said. “Every year, that’s probably the biggest game of the year, especially when we head to their town or when they head to our town. We just know it’s gonna be a dog fight for sure.”

Gouraige also noted that the games always take place in two of the biggest and loudest stadiums in the SEC. This means the Gators and Tigers play in some of the best environments in the entire country.

“Oh man. That stadium be rocking man. I think the Ben Griffin Stadium is definitely up there for sure.”

On3’s Alex Weber contributed to this report.