WATCH: Gators begin Phase 2 of their offseason program, Identity
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The Florida football team reported to the indoor practice facility Wednesday to begin the second phase of Billy Napier’s offseason plan: the ‘Identity’ program. UF completed phase one — Foundation — on Monday.
Wednesday’s one-hour session will be the first of 15 over the next four weeks, with the Gators doing four workouts a week. Last year, Napier called the first half of phase two the most difficult and challenging thing the players will do the entire year from a mental and physical toughness standpoint.
“What I would describe it as is designed difficulty,” Napier said. “We’re trying to present adversity to the players in a lot of different forms. We know that growth comes from struggle. We want to introduce adversity. Designed difficulty. That’s what we do. I’m hopeful that we’ll create and equip the players with some tools and intangibles that help down the road, not only when we compete in the fall but also in life.”
Napier also called phase two one of his favorite times of the year because it’s the opportunity for coaches and players to build some camaraderie and relationships before spring practice. The Gators have signed 31 new scholarship players to the 2023 roster so far after losing 35 players from last year’s team.
“It’s really our first opportunity with the core of our team that’s here to work with the staff, right? You have attrition, so it’s a new group. New roles,” Napier said. “In Year 2, 3, 4, it’s a chance to really establish expectations and get started at developing the identity of your team.
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“This is all really intangible-based, right? This has nothing to do with physical talent or ability. These are all things that every player that’s in that indoor facility will have a chance to improve at.”
The Gators begin Phase 3 — Spring Ball — on March 4 and will conclude camp with the Orange & Blue Game on Thursday, April 13.
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