As the Florida Gators prepare to face off against LSU this Saturday in The Swamp, head coach Billy Napier addresses the media about the upcoming game. In this article, Napier discusses the significance of the Florida-LSU rivalry, the team’s mindset following a disappointing performance, and key player updates. With bowl eligibility on the line, the Gators look to bounce back and make a statement against their SEC rivals.
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Opening statement
BILLY NAPIER: “We think the message today has been, talent is never enough. And the big focus here as we approach the game is doing all the things that require no talent at a really high level. so we can maximize our opportunities. And I think that it’s that kind of week. I think ultimately, we’ve been blessed and fortunate to hear from a bunch of people from our military this week each day after practice. It’s been inspirational. We’ve heard some great messages, and I think it’s been really impressive the level of service and sacrifice that we’ve experienced this week. So very thankful for all those people involved and obviously excited about the weekend, celebrating and saluting those who serve. So it’s been a good week, good practice today.”
Tell us the best story so far from a military speaker:
BILLY NAPIER: “I think just today. For example, today we had from the Marine Corps we had first sergeant Lance Crump. Lance has served from 87 to 2012. And he has been in Japan, Kuwait, Okinawa, Concord, Panama, Turkey, Libya, Israel, Africa, Yemen, and now obviously, has worked at Camp Pendleton, he’s served the Alpha Company. He’s still working today to help train and prepare young people who have chosen that path. Sp that’s one example of the level of service and the experience. So I think each one of these guys has had a significant story. Certainly today, he talked a lot about commitment, he talked about consistency and he talked about character. You got to have commitment to start. You got to have consistency to finish, and ultimately that helps develop a character along the way. So just think simple things like that I think are good for our young people to hear.”
On how much bowl eligibility would help this group of young players:
BILLY NAPIER: “Well, I think you’re always thinking big picture. But it’s important, like it’s big picture, but it’s a little process. So, one of the terms I’ve been using all week from the very beginning of the week is work as if you’re on a one-day contract. And maybe you get to call it a night to come back, maybe you don’t. So if we prepare and train and practice and have the self-discipline as if we were always being observed and we were on a one-day contract and if we do our job well enough, and at a high level, you get the call to come back. Let’s focus, be present. Let’s focus on the work and the task at hand, and then we’ll take a deep breath, eat a good meal, get a good night’s rest and we’ll get the call to come back tomorrow. So we are completely 100% focused on LSU, nothing else matters. We just did Wednesday. Hopefully we get a call back tonight, and we’re going to show up tomorrow and do Thursday.”
On DJ showing progress, what did he do today:
BILLY NAPIER: “Yeah, he’s been able to practice. Obviously he’s modified a little bit, but he’s making progress every day. He is getting closer and closer to being prepared to play. So, I do think we are creating a game-day environment in terms of the treatment and modifications we’re using, you know, just to make sure he’s comfortable with that. So he did work today, and obviously I think he made progress – he’s felt better today than he felt yesterday. We’re hopeful that’ll be the case tomorrow.”
How much more can you accelerate a process like that in 2024 than five years ago?
BILLY NAPIER: “Given the magnitude of the player and the position he plays, we have the best obviously here and they’re using it all, every gadget we got down here.”
On potential tampering
BILLY NAPIER: “Typically, look, it happens. The issue is the argument for proof, right? Look, I don’t know. We haven’t had that issue. Typically, when I get to those end-of-the-year meetings, they usually tell me. But look, for us, we’re hopeful that we’re creating an environment, a culture and a player experience where they don’t want to leave. We anticipate attrition, as always. We prepare as if we’re going to need a player at every position. They don’t want to be here, they don’t want to be here, right? It is what it is at this point. I really, to be honest with you, we’re just focusing on getting the best out of each player. If they don’t want to be here, they want to go somewhere else, they can go somewhere else.”
On Kelby Collins:
BILLY NAPIER: “I think Kelby is in a room that’s deep. I think it’s very competitive in that room. I think there’s obviously some veteran players. And then I think he’s in between roles in terms of the different things that he can do. But he’s still a young player, and I think obviously it’s all about improvement. It’s all about getting better at your craft, and you got to work while you wait. And you may not like your role, but you have to work hard to improve and embrace that role and try to earn more. And I think he’s in that type of position, but Kelby’s a great leader. He’s got great relationships with his teammates and he shows up every day, takes great pride in doing his job for the team. So ultimately, I just think it’s a very competitive moment and there’s a lot of good players in that room.”
On defense:
BILLY NAPIER: “What happened this weekend is not acceptable. It’s not good enough. We certainly know we’re capable of playing better. And, look, we’re trying to control the things that we can control. Our communication, our alignment, our fundamentals and techniques, playing with the right leveraging coverage, our effort and pursuit, and then ultimately playing really good situationally football and making good decisions. So we didn’t do much well at all on Saturday. We got to do a lot better this weekend.”
On teams being able to affect Garrett Nussmeier recently:
BILLY NAPIER: “Well, look, I mean, I think obviously they had an injury or two on the offensive line. I don’t know if that’s a factor or not, but I do think they played good teams with good rushers, right? So that’s one of the marquee battles in the game, in my opinion, is their offensive line I think is one of the more highly regarded groups in the country. And then can our front, our inside players on the D-line and the edge, can we affect the quarterback? I think that’ll be a big part of the game Saturday.”
On Napier’s sense of the Florida-LSU rivalry:
BILLY NAPIER: “That’s the way I view it. It is a crossover rivalry game. I think a ton of athletes in that state, having spent four years there, recruited five years at Alabama, recruited that state, very familiar with that place, has a ton of history and tradition, and certainly multiple coaches that have won national championships. So, you know you’re going to be going against elite talent and obviously a well-coached team with BK, and they’ve got, they’ve got a good team and good operation.”
On LSU’s skill position talent, if there’s been a drop-off:
BILLY NAPIER: “No, they’re still loaded. I mean, I think they’ve got not only the players that are returning, but a couple transfers (from) Alabama, Mississippi State, not to mention Lacy and Hilton. I mean, the tight ends, one of the better tight ends in the country, and certainly the backs, freshman back has elite track speed. So the combination of skill with the veteran quarterback; although he hasn’t been the starter before, he’s played a lot of football, and he’s been around there for a while.”
On Montrell Johnson’s progress:
BILLY NAPIER: “He is much closer. He’s been able to do more this week than he did last week. So, you know, I think he’s day to day. And I think ultimately, that’s a position where you have a lower body injury, you got to be 100%, right, to be as effective as you want to be. And certainly for him, this one’s personal to him, because he’s from Louisiana, so he’s motivated. He’s practiced, you know. Is he 100%? We’ll see, but we’re going to do what we’ve done in the past. We’re not going to put him out there until he’s ready.”
On if it’s easier to bounce back from a big loss or last-second loss:
BILLY NAPIER: “Yeah. I mean, I think for us, I think we were very disappointed with this past Saturday, just relative to how we handled maybe some of the adversity. Obviously thin at some positions, but I just didn’t think we handled it very well. Didn’t think we had the right mindset towards it. We didn’t embrace it. We didn’t come to play, and obviously the score reflected that. So, you know, that’s been my big deal this week is just like, ‘Look, that’s not who we are, you know, and that’s not who we want to be, and it’s unacceptable.’ We got to do better. And Saturday is our next opportunity to do that.”
On if it’s the kind of game you watch once and burn it:
BILLY NAPIER: “I wish we could, but look, we have to turn the page and focus on what’s next. I think it’s a good idea.”
On needing to generate momentum early, and if effort was lacking vs. Texas:
BILLY NAPIER: “I just think it was mindset. I think, you know, think we had a parachute, we went to battle with a parachute on our back, and then as soon as it didn’t go our way, we pulled the parachute, and it was disappointing. And I think we got to challenge the maturity of our team, the consistency of our team. We have to be mature enough as competitors to embrace that and play better, you know. So, I think it’s more mindset than anything in my opinion.”
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