Five takeaways from Billy Napier’s first Gator Talk

Every Monday throughout the season, UF head coach Billy Napier will meet with Voice of the Gators Sean Kelley at The Keys Restaurant to preview each Florida game at 6 p.m.

Napier met with Kelley for the first time on Monday to discuss the first matchup of the season against No. 7 Utah this weekend in The Swamp.

In a three-segment radio show, Napier and Kelley discussed a number of things related to the Gators. Here are the main takeaways from their discussion:

Where the Gators have improved

Florida coach Billy Napier discussed multiple areas where his team has improved throughout fall camp.

“I think, really been impressed overall, just the chemistry of the team,” Napier said. “I think we’ve worked hard on the relationship piece. There’s a loyalty that comes with playing this game. You have a really strong relationship with your teammates and people that you practice and compete with because you spend so much time together. So that’s what I’m probably most proud of, because I think we’ve made progress in that area. I also think that the discipline, the detail. You can’t help but improve in those areas.”

Anthony Richardson draws comparisons

The Gators’ starting quarterback received high praise from his head coach when Kelley asked to draw comparisons to quarterbacks before him.

“He’s in the Dak Prescott, Cam Newton category, you know, in terms of, I think he’s got a unique size, speed,” Napier said of Richardson. “This guy’s 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, you know. I mean, he’s a big man, and he is fast. And he’s a natural thrower.”

What to expect at kicker

Napier made it clear that there is a battle at the kicker position, but in the best way possible for his team.

“Trey [Smack] and Adam [Mihalek] both are very capable,” he said. “I’m confident in both guys. They’ve had really good camps. You know, they both do both jobs really well. We had a chance to observe Adam in the spring game. He did a phenomenal job, made three field goals in the game, critical for his team. 

“And then Trey obviously is one of the best kickers in the country, right. It just jumps off of his foot. We may see a combination of those guys as we go forward. But the good thing is I don’t think we have an issue there. I think both guys can do the job for the team.”

Scouting Utah

Billy Napier had nothing but good things to say about the top-10 Utes as he previewed his Week 1 opponent.

“I admire what coach Whittingham has built there,” he said. “You really think about the consistency in which they perform. They’re always a contender in the Pac-12, and they’re probably coming off one of their best years. They won the league last year, and they’re sound. I think offense, defense and the kicking game, they’ve got an identity in all three phases. They play complementary football.

“This is a veteran team. You know, there’s a reason why they’re considered one of the best teams in the entire country going into the season. They got the quarterback back, and he kind of drives the car on offense. They’re balanced on offense. They’re always tough on defense.”

Preparing for all kinds of weather

With a chance of rain on Saturday’s forecast in Gainesville, the Gators have begun preparing for the season opener with a wet ball period.

“Most practices that we have at this point in the year, we always designate kind of a wet ball period where we’re handling a wet ball,” Napier said. “And heck, it’s so humid out there sometimes it might as well be raining. So, I think our guys will be comfortable in that. But yeah, we will be intentional about that each week. Knowing that here, at this time of year in particular, you’ve got to be prepared.”