Florida Gators Football Press Conference 8-7-2024

you guys good in the back just let me know when you're squared away good okay we um good to be back um I tell you what was awesome to have Billy Donovan here the other day uh to speak with the team you know I think once in a lifetime opportunity for our players uh and staff to listen to a guy who's got tremendous experience um in general right but obviously 19 years at the University of Florida and accomplished some really significant things and he had great insight into what he's observed throughout the years that he thinks um has helped his teams and know kind of the good teams and the bad teams he talked a lot about the love care and acceptance uh of the players uh and one of the things that he really emphasized was that adversity is our greatest gift uh the harder the better you know and I think throughout the offseason um you know you've got to embrace that uh you have to use that it's a way uh to grow to improve um I was really interested in how he talked about choice right we have this illusion of choice at this level of competition in our conference uh he's in the NBA uh there's this illusion of choice you have you don't have a choice right if you want to be competitive if you want to be the absolute best at what you do if you want to be relevant you got to do the things uh that separat you from the competition and we talked a lot about experience you know um this team that we have uh has you know more experience than we've had maybe the last couple years but it's only valuable if we use the experience so I think that's the big message and he hammered that home yesterday we have to apply the things that we've learned and we've got to make the necessary changes U to try to get a different result in the future so it's great to have Coach back man and I'm going to tell you what he uh he's still bringing it and it was a humbling you know for him to accept that offer and to be here uh I spent an additional two hours with him after I got done with the team so great um just really thankful for coaching him being here yesterday what do we got here what's the timeline on Montreal and how's that impact the running back he Montreal's doing great first of all was very minor um you know once they got in there the scope and um he's weak the weak right he's already on his feet um he's made significant progress so it will be one week at a time you know we're going to go at his Pace but we do anticipate it being a very minor issue when we get him back is to be determined but um I think he's in a good place relative to maybe other situations like that that have been out there in the past you guys in that position are in pretty good shape a lot of depth quality depth yeah we got we've got four good players um trayon being the one player who's had some significant time you know he's played quite a bit last year um at times and then the other three are inexperienced but have ability um and it and it's it's almost a blessing in disguise to some degree that they're getting you know meaningful reps you know their workload uh and look playing running back is not just running with the ball right I mean I think there's a key protection element to that um that's extremely important right so we put an emphasis on that and then your ability to do your job you know not only rushing the ball catching the ball route running ball security um and in our system the Run running back is a critical piece of the puzzle so all those guys were here in January um the two rookies I would say and then jacobe and trayon have been win this for a year so uh it's a it's a great opportunity for those guys and let me tell you they're they are embracing it they're working extremely hard conversation perhaps unfortunately for Deon Moore has been his availability any concern there with him and can you go into a little bit maybe the decision to keep guys like ASA Turner and Shem Jackson and contact yesterday yeah no um Devin has U an abscess tonsil okay um that's all that's wrong with him we'll get him we'll get him going right that may require a few things here and there but he's not physically injured um yeah jaem is dayto day with a soft tissue lower body injury and then accea Turner's full speed you know he's got U shoulders a little banged up but no issue there he's 100% participation he's just in a black Jersey so the offensive line um obviously the onuses on them first to kind of generate a run game I mean you know the best back there no halls but so what are you seeing there in terms of just their ability to generate push and comparison maybe a year ago where it was was less consistent than in 2022 no I thought uh um you know I think there there's competitive depth there that's the one thing I would tell you um I've been impressed with the way they answered the challenge a couple days ago I'd say three practices back um we struggled a little bit up front you know and then I think we challenged that group and I think they put two good days back to back you know in particular two practices ago practice five I thought they were lights out uh um but yeah we've got a very capable group there and I I think we've got really good leadership in that room there's some good young Talent um we need to get Kaden Jones and Fletcher back out there that'll help us we should get those guys back here pretty soon um but yeah no I've got a ton of confidence in that group coach s coach D Coster they'll do what they do I think we made great strides in the spring you know that's the body of work to go along with what we've observed so far it's very comp competitive in there is what I would tell you like you know what combination of players are going to run out there first who um at what positions you know I think that there's a ton to be competed for in that room talked about that word you use that word a lot how refreshing is it to have that at most every position it feels like now when you do you feel like you had much of that in the past couple of years I mean or nearly as nearly as much yeah not as much I mean I I think ultimately we yeah I mean literally there are some positions on our team where it is daily adjusted who's in the front of the line who's getting the reps with the first team I mean we're talking um there's probably only a handful of positions where there's an established starter on our team right so that's producing you know it's it's uh there's some intensity there's some urgency and they know right um you just look at that edge group for example okay the number of players U that we think are capable of impacting our team in that room that room right now it's extremely competitive but I would tell you that their practice habits have been impressive to watch um so part of that is they're competing their toe off the opportunity to run out there and play for the Gator so uh we have a lot of that you know throughout the team and I think that's healthy for the team speaking about the is we had a chance to talk to Jamarcus Weston last night obviously another position switch for him what about his journey and and how he's looking at that new spot yeah know Jamarcus is 240 lbs um you know Jamarcus was considering maybe pursu in the NFL last year um we had quite a few conversations I can still remember where I was at when he called me and told me and say coach I'm coming back um because I thought it was a big deal for our team I mean this guy's one of the best special teams players in the country um guy runs 22 and a half miles an hour at 240 PBS and um he's a good teammate you know he's got some leadership traits I think the players respect him but he's a DPR and he's he's a uh he's a guy that can Rush the passor um and I think that we can create some value for him on the edge as a normal down player that could help him in his career but one thing's for sure when we punch the ball like we had a we had a rep the other day in half line punt where you know he's the Gunner cross Shaw lays up you know one of these lasers you know that he's been putting up lately and the guy catches the ball and Weston's down there waiting on him you know so um this gu can be a weapon for our team he's got an NFL future as a a COR special teams player so um Weston's we need more more guys like him for sure I don't know that I met West's mom Ben is 350 lbs oh wow he he hold on a second here say that one more time he well so he CL he says he benches 525 and I said that's sign I believe him I said that's significant I said who else he goes Dez and maybe one other guy do 500 I'm like really he goes in my mom bench is 350 and I'm like a 315 whatever it is it's it's crazy but anyway I this thought maybe need be eating whatever she's eating that's what I need to be doing rusher you know George gums was very similar to that you know if you guys George gums is a great story too but I mean Weston was a receiver when we got here he's been a selfless player you know he's embraced the move he played some line safety then we move him to Edge um I think it's I respect that about Weston he stayed the course the degree matters to him he's uh he cares about Florida he's been a great teammate George gums is very much the same covid recruit walk- on player at Northern Illinois turns into a tight end earns a scholarship plays someone special teams makes the transition to edge you know dominates the M conference and then you has an opportunity to come play for the Gator so that's two guys right there with a those are great stories for sure considering his journey thus far I know KH Jackson doesn't lack for motivation but have you seen some of the younger guys on the rise as well as get Badger and deer motivate him and help him Elevate his game even further recently yeah I me khil Jackson needs no motivation I mean he he's self motivated he's a grinder he's he's a um he's always been out to prove himself and he's done that right he has the respect of myself our staff his teammates I'm most I'm most proud of khil Jackson's growth as just a human being person his ability to connect with his teammates like you guys were here late last night when we were here but I'm sitting there coach Houston and myself for eating dinner first of all Harry's uh provided the catering last night lights out we're going to do more of that but khil Jackson is sitting at the table um you know there's three or four guys at the table and this guy's smiling he's having conversation um he's being more vocal on the field just a different guy you know I mean I think when we first got here that was an area um that he specifically talked to me about wanting to improve so uh C's um he's he's in Prime position uh to have a good year here for the Gator about players coming from good backgrounds and meeting their families a lot how much does it help when you have a player like that who either their parents played at Florida or you know you added Lawrence Wright as well as a as a walk-on in the summer how much do you think that helps from a culture and a a leadership and accountability standpoint here in Florida Yeah the more kids that we um have on our team that have a true feel for the history and tradition of this place right that really understand uh that we're a part of families that I mean c Jackson think about what how he grew up and all the things that he observed and the stories he's been told and for him to wear 22 and for him to have Jackson on the back I mean we need more of that right we need um and look we might just be hitting it just right we got quite a few legacies that are coming down the pipe here so um just in general it's always an added there's added value to a player that has knowledge and passion for the place right has a true understanding because some of the some of this generation they don't remember you know they have no affiliation with that right so I think guys like khil it means a little bit more to a guy like that was a little early but how have you seen the impact of having the analysts on the field like we see Jo and Chris couch out there on special teams work yeah no it's helped um special teams in particular I think it's been great to kind of take the gloves off a couch and Coach Houston and let them do their thing it's been great to see them get to do what they love to do you know um and I think the players appreciate it right because now they get not only um are those guys help them plan everything and have great input but now there's immediate feedback feedback on on the spot um so yeah me and I think other areas you know in the secondary um John Donovan with the tight ends I mean I think we've got some other areas where we've had some we're making the most of some of the people that we have here culture and a lot of play Talk getting in the right habits and and doing little things and they talked about a lot this year because Tyler miles stresses it so much right have you noticed that when you hear like do little what what are little things that come to mind they pointed to in the blocker room and stuff like that how evolves you yeah man I um yeah I go back to what I've said last week I think what I appreciate is when the academic staff you know is goes out of their way to be complimentary like look coach I'm not exactly sure what you're doing over over there but this spring man this group has been phenomenal to work with they've been first class and their interaction with the tutors with the advisor punctuality uh being well prepared um ultimately the word culture gets thrown around right but it's a set of um beliefs uh values behaviors that ultimately impact U outcome right and I think you know we're big Believers in that um I think if you really study success I think that most success would indicate that right so you know and look we have an obligation in college athletics to teach more than just how to tackle a guy or to throw a touchdown pass you know and I think the design of this entire organization you know we want to create a situation where they're equipped educated uh treat people people the right way have some convictions uh some beliefs uh and that they prioritize the education and that you know we're using the opportunity that we have while we're at the University of Florida right so um it's our job to model it and it's our job to try to hold them accountable for it so I think all these things contribute to purpose right and I think that ultimately that's what the game's about from his experiences last year and you brought in a few veteran guys lots of experience at that position and how has he responded to the challenge to you know maintain his position yeah know Jordan has been um Jordan made a great play last night okay we had um you know he's in the post you know we throw a inside fate to the slot he breaks out of the post and makes you know gets both feet in on the sideline toe touch um he's just in a different place right now he's playing faster he's got better comprehension of the system he's communicating better you see him barking out calls um and I think he would probably tell you that the veteran safeties that we've added to the team have made him a better player and for number one they do it the right way and their work ethic their attention to detail the way they approach their business um competition's part of it but look you know Jordan castel's one of the better secondary players in the country you know so um we got we got depth there I think that causes everybody to raise their level of play the veteran example to go along with the competition I think has made that whole group better unique I mean he was a a high school Corner yeah under arour All-American I think corner right right now he's playing pre sa yeah no J I think um yeah Jordan is Jordan is unique he's 6'2 he's 205 pounds you know he's he's got Corner coverage ability um you know he he's a bright player too you know so I think it's been natural that move for him he's got ball skills he can make plays on the ball throughout spring camp and now into fall Camp being fully healthy how much have you just seen him grow in the last year yeah very competitive at the star position you know he's in the thick of it here um he had a great is great for him to get four games of experience he played a little bit on special teams um yeah aon's a young player who's this is his first shot first Go Round right and he's right in the middle every day for him is critical um there's some competitive matchups in the slot that's a very important piece to our defense that player is involved um in a major way with the Run fit and the coverage so you got to be a smart player Sharie Denson's also at that position and there's a ton of competition um but look Gates is Gates is a he's tough he's competitive he comes from a great family his mom and dad are some of my favorite people in the entire world um and I think that this is his time right it's what he came here four right so the it's right there in front of him uh he he and Sharif alike you know they're going to be very important players in that defense this year first scrimmage what do you want to see from the team this week leading up to Saturday and then scage on yeah I think the big thing here is we've kind of we everybody can kind of be excited and have great energy in the beginning you know the these are the days that really test uh your intangibles these they present opportunity to develop the intangibles of the team to just the attitude and the energy and the the focus our ability to show up and push the envelope and try to grow run to it um as coach Donovan would say uh so we'll have an opportunity to do that over the next three practices we've got some situations left to put in um but for the most part it's all mentality my mindset and I think that's been the you know we want it to be hard right this design difficulty right I told him that after the practice last night so we got to come back to work here the next couple days GRE s the SEC might injy reports on a weekly basis always talk about injuries but is are you for that and as long as it's uniform with all the coaches yeah I think we're just trying to I think the league is trying to avoid any gambling you know I mean I think there's scenarios that come up there from an information standpoint that they're trying to standardize all of that relative to the prominence of gambling so it won't change what we do very much I think that we uh we may have to do it a couple more times a week but we're waiting on word you know from the league office on exactly what that format's going to be but we'll be prepared um yeah I mean I think it's another thing that we just try to standardize how we do it and um keep moving forward knowledge of who will won't play by the other team has that been a problem like last year you know Utah was trying will the QB play will he not play will that simplify preparation at all or do you think there'll be still be a lot of Hiser that look there's still going to be a ton of gamesmanship here right I mean I think um and and I don't sometimes you may hear things and you know you're not sure whether to believe them or not right so I think you always have these scenarios every week that you play right you know in out you know we spend pregame we're evaluating who's available um I think when it's an elite player you know a very impactful player where there's a significant drop off from player a to player B those are the ones maybe that um you know caused the most issues what like you're talking about last year with the quarterback there's certainly some significance there uh maybe an Elite pass rush you're an elite player in the secondary um but yeah you typically don't know until you get to the park and I'm not sure this format well you know it's still going to be very much the same just going to everybody's going to have to submit a piece of paper um but pregame you're you're going to be evaluating all the players um and that may help you make decisions from a strategy standpoint but typically in our league you show up the pregame and that's when you make the necessary adjustments a lot about his relationship with Justice Boon last night and you know the leadership and and whatnot how much have you seen from them especially with young guys like TJ and LJ in the room just be leaders and how their energy is rubbed off yeah know sap and Boon were here when we first got here and both have been awesome um and they they have great practice habits uh they bring energy they've got personality that I think rubs off on the team and the group um and they do just that you know those two have been in the trenches together for a couple years now right so um they're doing a good job and they're I mean reality is they're competing right I mean they're they're in scenarios where they're competing so both those guys are two of our guys that provide a good example they have character um and we need more of them you know I think ultimately that room right now if you look at it it's probably the most competitive group on our team and those young players are a factor so they're doing a good job in that regard them you know they're they're in the middle of a competition right now but they're able to you know keep their their friendship saying and you know keep a level head about it and and and whatnot well I think it's a sign of what we've been describing about this team you know I think ultimately that selflessness that hey uh although I'm competing you know and I'm I'm trying to earn a role in the team I've got an obligation to mentor and be a good example and show the way to the young players right I think that's what you want um and you know Boone Boone has been one of the best leaders that we had had you know losing him last year was a big deal you know not only because of his production on the field and the depth issue there but also just his passion his ability to affect people um and you know Sap's motor always running hot right I mean he's uh he never has a bad day he's on it all the time so both those guys are good they're good teammates a lot of competition at spots obviously EV valuing that every day is that ramped up in scrimmage or is that just another practice for guys to try to earn reps or starting jobs yeah no I think it'll be I mean right now it's a daily evaluation and I mean we literally are adjusting how many reps with each group based off a performance how they grade uh and then the scrimmage is an opportunity to get off the field and actually play the game in sequence it challenges the um situational awareness the football football intelligence to the player I mean we're playing the Downs as they fold out right um so I think that part you know real interaction with the staff with their teammates no coaches on the field and then you got to play the game as it unfolds so I think that creates an opportunity to gain some experience that's where typically experience will separate itself sometimes but um yeah it's a it's really a great opportunity for every single part of the organization from equipment to video to um the headset crew um offense defense special teams I mean all parts of our team will get a little bit of a game a dry run at a game so that that'll be part of the emphasis all right guys thank you