It's put up or shut up week for the Florida Gators
Football camp is a grind. The Florida Gators were welcomed back to campus this summer by being shuttled to a hotel to hole up for the start of fall camp.
That meant curfews, meetings, lifts, more meetings, practice and then — if you hadn’t had enough — more meetings.
The Gators broke camp on August 14 and were allowed to move back into their dorms or apartments. That shouldn’t provide a false sense of security or make guys relax. This is a big week for the team.
It’s time to earn your reps.
“This week, in particular here, practice 10 to 15 is going to be very competitive on our football team. I think when we evaluate our team right now,” Napier said on Monday. “Can we maintain that discipline now that we’re in our normal living circumstances? Can we be on time, go to bed at night? Make our way through the day efficiently in terms of transitioning back and forth from where we live? Can we manage the distractions as the students come back into town?
Gators looking to earn their stripes this week
Some players have locked up starting roles. There’s no questioning which quarterback will take the first snap against Utah on September 3. O’Cyrus Torrence will be the starting right guard, Richard Gouraige at left tackle and Ventrell Miller at middle linebacker. While some positions have been secured, there are still reps to earn.
Which of the Gators’ four running backs will emerge on top? Which receivers can show they’re well-rounded enough to be on the field every down? Who will be the starting kicker?
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Kicking in the spring game wasn’t pretty. With less than three weeks until the first game of the season, even the specialists have a battle. Freshman Trey Smack had a good first scrimmage but redshirt freshman walk-on Adam Mihalek wants the job as well.
“I think overall, the whole team, who’s earning time? Who’s going to earn time? We talk about being one of 11 we put between the lines to represent the University of Florida. That is a special privilege,” Napier said. “Who are those people? This week, 10 to 15, this is going to be … there’s going to be some urgency, it’s going to be intense and there’s going to be a ton of competition.”
The Gators will be back on the field Wednesday for a full-padded practice before a Friday walk-through and scrimmage No. 2 on Saturday.
This week serves as a crucible for those players still looking to secure reps and playing time in 2022.
