Florida Gators Football Press Conference 8-26-2024

tough act to follow opening St for coach and we'll take questions okay guys we um before we get going here congratulations to Lake Mary right winning the College World Series or Little League World Series I should say hopefully some future Gators that may win a few College World Series but uh I would tell you not only their performance on the field but just the uh it's a Class Act organization uh just observing those players uh the coach the coaching staff so awesome to see that success in our state um excited about season tickets being sold out you know I think it's a big deal and obviously this home opener is sold out so you know our Gator fans uh continue to impress and we're looking forward to the season you know we um we're excited about our opportunity um you know our opponent this week uh we're very familiar with obviously he's in our state uh we have familiarity their head coach and I have worked together for four years uh in the past uh and they have an a very talented roster you know you do your homework about the recruiting classes uh and certainly the players that they've added to their team in the portal so this presents a great challenge um one that I would like to say uh we've been preparing for going all the way back to January so uh this is an opportunity for our team to start telling their story you know relative to 2024 uh to put on display uh some of the intangibles that we've developed over time through a lot of hard work so you know I do think in these types of games emotion will not be um you know needed you know energy uh we won't be lacking for that you know I think the key here is that we execute I think execution will be key I think it's important that between now and the game that all of our decisions reflect kind of our vision for who we want to be um what type of outcome that we want Saturday and then I think it's important there's one way to get um developed confidence and I think that's how we prepare so it's really critical that we take advantage of all of our time here and we have some self-discipline throughout the week as we get ready for the opener so what questions do we have here just what where do you feel like this team made the most progress throughout preseason camp what are some of the areas of growth that you observed as ahead of this opener well I think that we um our football's improved you know I think we we've got a formula that we kind of subscribe to and I think that we've improved at taking care of the ball um creating takeaways I think our fundamentals have improved I think we have better awareness in knowledge relative to situational football um I do think that uh we've gotten to a point where I think we can play fast you know we can our height length and speed can be a factor in the game you know and be aggressive in how we play and then I think I think we're in good condition you know I think our team has gotten into football condition um and hopefully that creates opportunities for for us to finish you know whether that's finished plays finish possessions or finish the game so ultimately I think all parts of our team we've improved you mentioned your your time with with Mario what was he like as a colleague those four years oh man I I had tremendous respect um you know I think very passionate um I think he took pride tremendous pride in his role um and I love his family you know just just a great human being and um we were in the trenches on offense we were in the trenches together and recruiting so uh there's certainly a relationship there and um you know Mak it's an added element to the game to some degree what's Bay in the front seven present yeah I mean I think they've got a whole group of front seven players that can create issues for you Bane yeah AI is taking over our world here Bane is um yeah I think he's just really unique um loose hip uh Twitchy power um you know guy was is very instinctive you know I think he played as a rookie he was physically ready comes from a great program there at Central um had a good fundamental base and was able to you know get their midye and be a factor as a freshman so uh we anticipate him even being better in year two uh and that that'll certainly be one of the key matchups of the game to go along with several other players up front cam Ward from looking at him what do you see on film and just his story how you know inspirational is that I feel like I've been watching cam Ward forever um no I think he you know he's obviously been very productive you know me you look at the yards the touchdowns the completion percentage multiple stops you know and um I do think that his ability to extend the play is a part of the the game you know it' be a key factor in the game but he's got armed talent and they've got a great group of skill and an incredible group of linemen to protect the tight end group uh has athleticism inside so they've got a really good surrounding cast to go along with a guy who's a very accomplished quarterback I mean I heck I think even as a transfer they've got him picked to went be the the preseason Player of the Year in the ACC so obviously highly regarded when you back over your career in open Home openers or any open and knowing what your team might do the confidence level going in had you been surprised after the game how your team played either positively or negatively and what's your confidence level in this team what yeah I think experience matters and openers you know I think if you've got a crew that that uh lacks experience is sitting in there in the locker room and this is their first opportunity in time I think sometimes that may not bode well but um we've got a veteran group for the most part um we're playing at home which will um there'll be a comfort level there um but yeah I think you you try to keep the staff you've got more time to prepare so uh making sure that it's simple enough um so that your guys can go play with confidence and play fast uh communicate well and and try to eliminate some of those errors you know I think you can have a little bit too much offense and defense and special teams in the plan if you're not careful what are you sensing in the sense of urgency in Graham last week at fall camp and just you know the Synergy between the two going into year or two yeah he was um he had a couple really impressive practices uh before we took a break Sunday I thought he was really sharp Friday Saturday um all throughout practice practice I thought was you know you can sense he's he came back for a reason he's excited about this opportunity last time we spoke to you you mentioned some competition still on the offensive line just where do you think stand with that unit and how they kind of progressed yeah no I still have confidence in that group I think it's a group where there's competition there's depth um and I think a lot of those um the combination of players that you'll see will reflect what we observe you know I think throughout each week so um yeah I think we've got we've we've added a couple of portal players and I think we've developed some of the high school players that were on our team so we're looking forward to that group playing well Saturday Billy you had mentioned a little bit earlier about self-discipline how is that translated into getting your team focused and ready for this team are you seeing the focus there that hasn't been there in the past yeah I think the key is the uh the routine right I think you get into the season and you only have a certain amount of time right and how you use your time Sunday to Saturday certainly with an opener you have a little bit of a trial run we've been through a couple practices uh but you want to get them in a little bit of a rhythm that they can repeat each week let's not forget these guys are taking 12 to 15 credits on campus too right so uh and the students are back um so they've got a lot on their plate um and I think that's where we've tried to talk about you know the importance of having self-discipline you know what you do with your time your commitment to sleep hydration nutrition your film study routine um and we try we try to map that out for the players and it's one of the things that we've done over the last week to get them ready what have you seen out of Jason Marshall for the last year how much more active is he as a a vocal leader inside that secondary yeah I do think Jason's taken a step forward as a leader you know I think he um I'm proud of him you know I think he's been more vocal I think his practice habits have improved I think coach Harris has been good for Jason and I also I think it's a you know I joke with him all the time it's a contract year for him right so he's back and uh you know I think he came back for a reason not only to leave a better Legacy at UF but also to increase value at the same time what did these new coaching hires do for Gator fall camp that you didn't see in the past years yeah I think it's even more than fall Camp I think just starting from the beginning you know I think we we've improved as a result of those I mean I think as a leader you quickly realize regardless of what level of football it's critical that you surround yourself with with um capable people competent people that have character uh and I think this group has made a difference um and I think I think we'll prove that this fall Billy when you were you do a good job of teaching your teams about the history the rivalries who did you bring in for to teach on Miami and and how did that how did that go You notable that um nothing to talk publicly about um no I mean I think ultimately for me um you know we we understand I think that's one thing one of the thing about one of the things about this group of players is that I think they've got pretty good awareness you know I think they've got some experience and they understand the magnitude of the game not only just for the season as a whole uh but also being an instate opponent um and look uh our opponent this week is highly regarded they're ranked in both polls they've got several All-American allconference players um so I I think ultimately they're picked to make the playoff they're picked to win their conference right so I don't think we're lacking in regards to respect for the opponent we saw in the Georgia Tech game Hay King was in this all game with communication and I was in a neutral sight obviously how much do you expect the swamp to potentially impact cam going through that for the first time obviously it's the first time Miami's come here since 08 so it's probably yeah I think it's um look I mean Gator nation is going to be on full display Saturday um and look we're we're not taking on this challenge just as a team we're going to have 93 ,000 of our dearest friends out there right so um it's critical you know we talk about as a football team we want to create a nightmare for the opponent you know this is one of the most iconic venues in All Sport and I would anticipate it'll be pretty special on their Saturday how's the running back situation shaping up for week one right now good yeah we uh got a good group um I think you'll see several of those guys throughout the season and right now there's a ton of competition so much emphas been placed on this game as a tone set for the whole season maybe too much I mean like is it tough keeping in in perspective or you want WI a dose of perspective to it you is just game one well you see a little bit of that after week zero right I mean I think ultimately um but I I mean I think they all matter we're playing in a different era of college football right so as you get into to the the meat of the schedule you know depending on your status I think you're alive for a lot longer maybe than you were in the past relative to the playoff you I think there's a little bit of an NFL feel to it um in regards to keep playing you know stand up and fight one more round you know you got to continue to um try to be at your best each each week knowing that we have a schedule that we could um play ourselves right into the middle of that thing so I think it's a little bit different era in that regard you know I think in the old model maybe you would say that how much has Aiden Melle progressed ahead of the season I feel like we haven't really had a chance to ask you about him yeah I've been very impressed with Aiden I think he's one of the players that's probably improved the most from year one to year two um in particular just the skill level uh the route running the releases the top of the route the detail there and then the hand I think his ball skills I mean he's made some very impressive challenging catches the last couple days so I think he brings this speed element to our team that we need and we're hopeful that he can make an impact that speed element I mean that had such an impact last year how much better equipped you feel like you guys are in that regard to be able to kind of just put athletes out there and and have guys make plays yeah I think our team speed is increased I think we've improved the roster in that regard but also I think our offseason program has proved to be beneficial in that regard so you know it's time for us to go play you know me I think I'm excited to watch this group play you know and I think the key is that we channel the urgency that we feel right I think um you start watching a handful of games this past weekend and it becomes real to the players right so I think that um we've got a execution will fuel the outcome and theem motion we want right we have to make disciplines uh we have to make decisions uh that reflect our vision uh and then we need to have self-discipline and how we approach the week I think good preparation breeds confidence and you want to have a confidence team in the opener ultimately if we do the work the right way this week we got a chance to do that I know Jacob asked about o line but specifically right tackle there been any separation there between Cam and BCD yeah I think all we have ton of competition I mean I think there's very few on our team but I I've Got Confidence there's four tackles on our team that I think we could put out there and playing a game right now so um got to remember that Austin and cam were both out in spring so I mean Devon and Brandon played the majority of the time so they're they're very familiar with the offense and have had a ton of reps so I think those two additions have proved to be beneficial and then you get a healthy Barber and healthy weights and then the two freshman are going to be good players with time um Kaden and both Fletcher do you go into an opener trying to play as many people as you as many guys you can and try to get all the backups in just to see what they do we're going to try to win the game you know I mean I think but yeah I mean I think you got to play the long game a little bit I think you're intentional especially if you have um rookie players who you know have the physical ability uh that maybe just need to get their feet wet and maybe their role increases as the season goes if they prove that they can handle it so I think we have some of that on our team you I mean it's critical teams continue to get better throughout the season if you do it right and individual players get better so this team has competitive depth right so you're going to see each week there may be slight changes in the depth do we play them one to one two to1 3 to one uh what role do they have on special teams which is a huge part of the game so it's one of the values of having a veteran team a more um there's more competition and there's more competitive depth so I think that'll prove to be beneficial for the Gator how does DJ lague fit into what you're just talking about obviously he's not playing special teams but you get my point yeah no I think DJ's in that category I mean DJ as he gains more experience I think that um all the things that we do will um mean more to him I think I think you it's it's one thing to sit around and talk about it's another thing to experience it and then you kind of frame your preparation a little bit different going forward so all the things that we you know young players go through he's in the middle of that did you realize this is the start of your 20th college football season as a coach 20 years did you know that I did I didn't realize till like 8:00 this morning but CU I was trying to think of so you talked about the story of this team what is this game the story of Billy Napier I mean like what is this the magnitude can you put it in perspective like what this game this season kind of means to you yeah I mean I think regardless look I'm I'm going to coach until I can't coach anymore right so I'm 20 into um hopefully a couple more rounds right so you know for me it's about our players um it's about this staff that's the cool thing about football right I can just remember growing up right as a son of a high school coach you know when the season's over and the playoffs are finished and they state champion holds the trophy up we're back to zero and zero right and there's a new team in that weight room there's a new team on that practice ractice field and then you've got the same ambition and the same goals right so the Gratitude of coaching is taking that group of people and trying to get the most out of them right and this year's no different than any year in the past and this game uh is the start of the story of the 2024 Gator is this game a little weightier in some ways just because of the opponent exposure of it yeah I mean I think I think Edgar you feel that way obviously the way you're asking that I'm wondering what you think about it no I think look at at this place um they're all they all matter you know um there's no question about it so and I'd like to think that we um take tremendous pride in representing the place it doesn't matter who you play I think there's got to be some type of internal standard uh relative to how you represent you know you're Steward of your opportunities right and I think we've got a great group of young men and and a staff that's worked hard and we're excited about representing the University of Florida this year thanks coach