Miller secured the backup quarterback role, Gators looking for more depth

There is no question who will take the first snap at quarterback for the Florida Gators in 2022. That job has been won and earned by Anthony Richardson. While all eyes will be on Richardson this year, Billy Napier needs a backup plan at the most important position on the field.

In 2021, Richardson missed two games with a pulled hamstring and three more with knee injuries. Ultimately, he would get surgery on his knee, which forced him to miss the Gasparilla Bowl. He rehabbed and returned in the spring, saying he feels healthier than ever.

“Before the surgery, my leg was really sore. But now I feel a lot better just moving around and stuff, and I feel a lot more confident,” he said in March.

While Richardson is healthy, as the head coach Billy Napier needs to have a contingency plan. That came in the form of Ohio State transfer Jack Miller.

Napier made a big push to add depth to the quarterback’s room as soon as he arrived in Gainesville. That proved to be prophetic when Emory Jones entered the transfer portal soon after spring practice began and Carlos Del Rio-Wilson followed after the spring game.

The Gators brought back Jalen Kitna and added Max Brown in the signing class. Still, it leaves a rather inexperienced room and a lot of work to do.

Building depth in the Gators’ quarterback room

While Richardson is the unquestioned starter, Napier has made an effort to prepare Miller to play in 2022.

“Jack Miller also has done extremely well being. Very pleased with Jack. (Monday) in particular, we gave him a few reps with the first group just as a healthy experience for him,” Napier said of Miller on Tuesday afternoon. “Jack’s very capable. I would say this going all the way back to spring. He’s moved our team. Understanding the spring game, he threw a couple (of) interceptions and all that. But he’s consistently made the right decision. He’s very capable, he’s got arm talent. He’s accurate, and he’s a good athlete. So I think we made a really good decision there. Realize that he is a freshman, right? And he has four years to play.

Miller has taken hold of the backup role to Richardson, which means he’s one injury away from being the starting quarterback at the University of Florida. That is why Napier is getting Miller reps with the first team. It won’t take away from Richardson’s development or chemistry with the other starters. However, by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail, so Napier is getting Miller prepared to be the starter if that scenario presents itself at some point.

Looking for a third-string QB

The Gators have four scholarship quarterbacks but redshirt freshman Jalen Kitna is currently sidelined with an injury. Kitna had to undergo a small surgery for the undisclosed injury on Monday but was showing signs of growth prior.

“I would say Kitna is the player that I probably saw the most growth in, you know from spring practice to see him take another step fundamentally. I think he’s throwing the ball much more consistently, much more accurately, better grasp,” Napier said of Kitna.

That injury is opening up an opportunity for the true freshman, Max Brown. Brown, understandably, is swimming a little right now.

“Max is a rookie player. He’s going through those growing pains that most quarterbacks go through,” Napier said. “Everybody’s a little bigger and a little faster, information, a lot to process there. And he’s a reflection of most of the rookies on our team.”

Florida should feel confident with Richardson. Napier is taking strides to get his backup ready. As for a third, well any team in the country would be in trouble if they’re forced to go to a third-string quarterback.