Article: Can Florida Football Thrive In All Kinds Of Weather, and What Does It Need To Do So?

Very good read by David.

The biggest problem, imho, as David stated in his piece. In 2023 only 4 of the top 15 players in the state (setting aside the IMG guys) stayed home. For UF, that must change, no way in you know what will they compete for the SEC/NC until more top-shelf in state talent stays home and signs with UF. As of now, the out of state football factories are feasting on Florida talent.

“Napier is trying to bring about a third era of success less by catching a wave than by just out-planning and out-executing everyone else.”

That’s not possible, imho, hopefully that’s not what Billy is gonna hang his hat on. Everyone has an army now, everyone plans, everyone works really hard to execute their plan. It’s all about the players, the Jimmy’s & Joe’s, UF must stock up on more upper echelon players, imho. Georgia didn’t win back-to-back titles because Kirby did any of that better than anyone, it was because he stacked up 5* players like cord wood.

 

When you can snatch the pebble from my hand, you will win.

David writes well. Although, always colored with a cloak of pessimism IMHO. He's a bit like our old Gainesville Sun writer. Napier could have giant lightning bolts of light bursting from his outstretched fist like a super hero..."Well, he has superpowers, but their not as strong as some others."

Whatever...

It takes time. Yeah, he's doing it his way. We have to recruit more talent. We also have to get a freaking break with scheduling. And we'll need to snag some 5 star talent. It's starting to happen. Captain arrogance a few hours up the road will eventually falter.

The bond between the players and the special space Napier and his coaches are creating will draw kids in. He is building the dream, and they will come...

Keep the faith Gator Nation.

Go Gators.

 

My biggest concern here is that there is a very real wave happening right now in NIL, and we don't seem to be catching it.

 

Whose fault do you think that is?

 

I thought these lines were fascinating.

“Place just doesn’t matter as much as it used to. For example, UGA has signed more than half of its class from the state of Georgia only once since 2018, and last cycle it signed just five Georgians out of 26 players. Clemson’s big rise came largely from recruiting the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida, but now its roster has more players from Alabama than Florida and more from Texas than North Carolina.”

i had no idea that Clemson and Georgia were not recruiting the state of Georgia as much and as deep as thought.

“ Wes Chandler was Percy Harvin before Percy Harvin was born.”

 

It comes down to money and winning. These kids want to win and be paid. Minus one of those two and it’s not going to happen.

 

Bana, UGA, aTm, and Texas have proven that they are willing to go off the deep end crazy with spending money. Whether it’s facilities, salaries, operating/recruiting budgets, NIL, advertising, or straight up cash payments/benefits to players, their families, agents, posse, etc.

LSU, Tennessee, Ohio State, and Clemson are right behind.

There needs to be oversight and regulation to level the playing field.

I don’t ever see UF as “willing to spend more than the rest no matter the amount.”

I think Billy’s blueprint and plan can be successful in a pre-NIL world. Right now I have a hard time seeing it.

 

Florida has fixed the facilities deficit, hired the bright young ex Saban staffer along with an army of assistant coaches and analysts; shelled out millions in competitive salaries and is trying to work the NIL angle and still we can't sign our share of top Florida high school talent. If you have to fill your roster from the transfer portal every season it becomes an annual crap shoot. Napier has to roll the dice and hope for sevens.

 

Are you paying attention to the class he is bringing in?

 

If you are referring to the 2024 class there are two (2) so far from Florida which was my point. It's a top 5 class and could wind up second behind Georgia.
We need to do better instate to have a chance at a natty which is what we all want.

 

Can CBN catch the wave? I mean thats the HUGE question mark here...we are all told to wait until 2025...lets see what happens.

 

Talent is talent. We are going to Texas and Georgia, oh well.

 

Lagway will be a sophomore. Do you expect him to lead us us to the promise land as a freshman?

 

My expectations are very low for 23 and 24 and confirmed by others on here that its 25 or bust for CBN. Can the Gator fandom wait until 25 to see major on the field improvements in Wins and Losses? History has show us that even multiple trips to the SECCG provides little cover to UF coaches...we shall see.

 

If ‘23 and ‘24 are 6-6 type seasons then ‘25 needs to be an 11-1 type season.

No other way to justify keeping Napier past 4 years if his record began so poorly. No UF coach has gone 6-6-ish the first 3 years only to skyrocket after that.

 

Getting blown out in sec championships and then having the wheels fall off doesn’t sit well with any fanbase.

 

It doesn’t matter where it starts, only where it’s going.

 

The AD will be long gone before '25 if '23 and '24 are duds. CBN is with us as the starting coach in '25.

 

Don’t disagree on the need for Stricklin to go, but leaving Napier without Stricklin pretty much makes him a lame duck. The new AD, whoever he/she is, will have ideas of their own and may wanna get rid of Napier quickly if things on the field are still shaky.