Billy Napier on UF recruiting hot streak: ‘The Gators aren’t going away’

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Since late June, Billy Napier and the Gators have been an absolute tear in recruiting and are arguably the nation’s hottest team on the trail right now.

Over the last eight weeks, Florida has secured three or more commits in one week four times, totaling 15 pledges in the 2023 class since June 21. This past week was the best yet.

UF received four 2023 commits in one week for the third time in six weeks, flipping four-star linebacker Jaden Robinson from South Carolina and landing a trio of four-star defensive linemen in Kelby Collins, Kamran James and Will Norman.

The latest pledges propelled the Gators into the top 10 of the On3 Consensus team recruiting rankings. Florida also landed its first commitment for the 2024 class from top-50 overall recruit Myles Graham.

“I think you can’t compliment our staff enough, right? We’ve hired really good people. We’re thankful for the administration giving us the resources for the infrastructure that we do have,” Napier said Monday when asked about the recruiting momentum. “We’re learning more about our product. I think we’re getting more comfortable with our processes in house. … I think what you’re seeing here is the Gators aren’t going away on the recruiting trail. We’re going to follow through. We’re going to be diligent.

“And look, verbal commitments mean lots of different things these days. The finish line is out there a few months from now. I am excited and humbled at the caliber of player, but more importantly the caliber of person and family that some of these young people come from that they have confidence in our plan for their son. … We’re going to work hard on who they are as people. We’re going to prioritize their education and we’re going to teach football at a high level. I think we’ll improve as we go. This is certainly a sign that we’re gaining some traction here.”  

The Gators are now up to 20 members in their 2023 class, and 15 of those commitments are rated four-star recruits by On3. That’s a blue-chip ratio of 75 percent, which is currently ranks fifth nationally and is higher than Alabama, Miami and Texas.

Moreover, 17 of the pledges hail from the state of Florida and all 20 are within a 500-mile radius of UF’s recruiting footprint. After signing prospects from a school-record 11 different states in his transition class, Napier’s staff is locking down the Sunshine State during this cycle.

“Just look at the research; the numbers tell the story. We’re big into history. History is the best indicator of the future. It’s one of the reasons why this is one of the elite, iconic jobs in all of college football: the player proximity. I think the inside-outside approach in recruiting — not to say we’re not going to nationally recruit — but we’re going to do a very thorough job of evaluating the personnel inside, out,” Napier said.

“We’re going to plan our work, work our plan. We’re going to be diligent. Be consistent. I think we have an incredible product to sell at the University of Florida and all that comes with that. There’s history here. There’s tradition here, there’s an elite education and experience here. We have an alumni network that can help position our players for success when football’s over. We have one of the best game days if not the best gameday venue in all of sports. I think we’ve got a prime location.”