How Diwun Black has 'changed his reputation' inside the UF program
One of Florida’s standout players in the Orange & Blue Game — and throughout spring camp — was linebacker Diwun Black.
He caught the eye of first-year coach Billy Napier long before the Gators started practicing in March. Black made a strong first impression on Napier and his staff during the team’s offseason workouts.
“During our identity program, I wrote his name down multiple days where he’s probably been the gold standard when it came to effort in the program. The guy’s really bought in,” Napier said of Black. “And I will say this: He’s completely changed his reputation in the building relative to his attitude, his work ethic, how he goes about his business. And he’s really academically had a decent semester. He needs to continue to work hard. But I’m very pleased.”
Along with taking care of his business off the field, Black has been producing on the field over the past month. He was praised by tight ends coach William Peagler for his play in practice.
“I’ve seen him make a lot of plays,” Peagler said of Black, “and it really comes back to our identity program in the offseason. He was really doing a good job of finishing things. I thought he stood out there. And then he’s made a lot of plays, you know, picked a few balls off and all that good stuff.”
That continued in the Orange & Blue Game last Saturday. Diwun Black suited up with the second-team defense and was one of the top players for the Blue squad, finishing with four tackles and a team-high two pass breakups.
“The guy’s got some height and length, very instinctive. Even when he’s wrong a little bit, he can make it right and oftentimes makes plays. He is productive on a consistent basis,” Napier said of Black. “What you saw out there (Thursday) is what we observe every day in practice. It’s amazing to me … we’ve got talent.
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“But it’s about who you are as a person, right? I firmly believe better people make better football players. If we can focus on the intangibles and these guys live life the right way, go about things the right way, football will come. I think he’s a good example of that.”
Black, the No. 1-ranked JUCO recruit in the 2021 class, saw action in 10 games last season and made four tackles. He played defensive back and STAR in the previous defensive scheme, but made the move to inside linebacker this spring.
“He’s really got DB skills. I think he really has the skill set to go play STAR or go play in the secondary. He’s really long. He’s got long arms,” UF inside linebackers coach Jay Bateman said of the 6-foot-3, 221-pound Black. “I think he’s got a lot of skills. I think he’s a really, really good pass rusher.
“So I think there’s absolutely a role for him. I tell him every day, you’ve got to continue every practice to increase what we feel comfortable with you doing and knowing. I think as that happens he’s going to play more. … He’s very hungry and I think he understands this is a chance for him to be successful.”
