Billy Napier provides update on Jaydon Hill, other UF players out with injury
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida cornerback Jaydon Hill went through spring practice in a non-contact jersey, but he’s yet to take the field for the Gators this week in fall training camp.
Hill tore his left ACL last year in fall camp and missed the 2021 season. UF coach Billy Napier divulged Friday that Hill has yet to be fully cleared to return from his injury.
However, Napier expects him to eventually get the green light.
“Jaydon Hill is currently not able to participate,” he said. “I think a little bit of that is to be determined based off the recovery and the rehab process. I think we commented on that in Atlanta at SEC Media Days, but Jaydon was injured and we’ll keep you guys up to date as his rehab process continues there. We anticipate getting him back later.”
Hill is expected to compete for a starting job at the cornerback position, where Florida lost first-round draft pick Kaiir Elam to the NFL. Napier discussed in Atlanta how Hill, who also tore his right ACL in high school, has handled his recovery process.
“Jaydon, had a chance to get to know him a little bit. I admire Jaydon. To go through what he’s gone through from an injury perspective, I think it’s important when you’re trying to overcome an injury to keep perspective,” Napier said. “I think it can benefit you if you have the right approach. It can create toughness. It can create resiliency. I think we see that. It shaped his character, and he’s better for it.”
With Hill sidelined, Gators cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond has six scholarship players available in Jason Marshall Jr., Devin Moore Avery Helm, Jalen Kimber, Ethan Pouncey and Jordan Young. Although Hill was non-contact in the spring, Raymond was impressed with what he saw from him.
“Jaydon Hill, he’s doing well,” Raymond said in March. “I like his progression. I like him as a player. He’s getting better every day. I think he has a chance to be good, too.”
Napier also provided an update Friday on starting offensive tackle Richard Gouraige and safety Dakota Mitchell, both of whom have been out this week with non-contact jerseys.
“Nothing major there. Very minor issues,” Napier said. “We anticipate getting Richard and Dakota back here shortly.”
![Florida Gators wide receiver Eugene Wilson III (3) hauls in a pass while taking balls from a throwing machine during University of Florida Gators’ Spring football practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 28, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/08/01212103/Untitled-design-80.png)
