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Billy Napier calls Brock Bowers 'one of the best players of all time'

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•10/23/23•

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Brock-Bowers-1-1
(John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Georgia Bulldogs were dealt a blow when All-American tight end Brock Bowers went down in a win against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Bowers underwent tight-rope surgery on the Monday of Georgia’s bye week. The surgery is meant to speed up the healing process from a high ankle sprain but will keep Bowers out of the game this weekend.

Bowers made his presence felt last year in Jacksonville. The right end caught five passes for 154 yards and a touchdown. He led the Bulldogs with 63 receptions for 942 yards and seven touchdowns. This year, Bowers has been Carson Beck’s favorite target. Bowers has 41 receptions and 567 yards through seven games.

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier paid Bowers quite the compliment when asked about the injured tight end on Monday.

“Obviously this is not only one of the best players in America this year, last year, I mean, this is one of the best players of all time,” Napier said. “This guy is a really, really unique matchup relative to his ability to run routes and get open, his ability to run after the catch. They’re handing the guy sweeps. They were handing the guy the ball. He’s a terrific blocker, he’s tough. And he’s got a really good set of fundamentals. Made him really hard to defend.”

Not only is Bowers tough to defend but, as Napier pointed out, is also a great blocker. The Bulldogs will have to figure out a way to replace Bowers production on the field this week.

Graham Mertz knows the importance of having that go-to receiver, something Beck and the Bulldogs won’t have on Saturday.

“First off, anytime a guy gets hurt, that’s never fun. I’ve been around a bunch of guys that have had injuries that have to deal with that. Obviously praying for him in that sense,” Mertz said. “It’s an NFL tight end. He’s an elite, elite tight end. After every game, you go on your phone, you’re swiping, you see guys’ highlights, I see him every weekend. He’s a baller. I wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

Mertz’s go-to receiver is senior Ricky Pearsall, who saw Bowers in action last season in Jacksonville. He went off on the Gators, making five catches for 154 yards and a touchdown.

“Man, he’s a really good player. I feel like I can’t say enough about him,” Pearsall said of Bowers. “He’s a super strong runner. He’s hard to take down. That’s the biggest thing I take away from him. I’ve heard a lot of good things, the way he carries himself in the locker room, the amount of dedication he has in the locker room, in the film room. I think the most impressive part is just him as a player, going out there and making plays when his name’s called. He’s a great player. I think everybody can say the most about him.”

Florida and Georgia will renew their rivarly this Saturday at EverBank Stadium at 3:30 on CBS.

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