LOOK: Florida running back Nay’Quan Wright returns to practice field
Florida running back Nay’Quan Wright is rehabbing from a broken ankle suffered at the end of the 2021 season. On Saturday, photos surfaced of the star running back returning to the practice field, exciting Gators faithful everywhere.
As you can see, Wright is back in uniform, going through drills with the Gators. If the running back can return to form, it’ll be a huge addition for Billy Napier in his first season with Florida.
Last week, Napier spoke glowingly about Wright, revealing he’s extraordinarily impressed with the running back.
“Very impressed with Nay’Quan as a person,” Napier said. “He has maturity, he has big-picture perspective. I think he’s intelligent, he’s tough. He’s been through some things – he’s resilient. He has some leadership qualities. We need the guy. We not only need the guy a running back, we’re missing the guy from that perspective – but we’re also missing his ability to affect the rest of the team. I would say in my short time Nay’Quan is one of the players I have the most respect for just because of his approach and overall attitude.”
In 2021, Nay’Quan Wright posted 326 yards and one rushing touchdown on 76 carries for the Gators. The 2022 season will be a big bounce-back year for the former four-star prospect and he’s no stranger to coming back from an ankle injury. He broke his other ankle in high school. Wright is just beginning to run again and should be full-go by the fall.
“He’s from South Miami, a South Florida man. You think he don’t have an edge already? He wakes up with it,” running backs coach Jabbar Juluke added. “I asked him, I said, ‘How are you feeling?’ He said, ‘Coach, I did this before. It’s not the first time.’ And he’s gonna be fine.”
Billy Napier shares how players have responded to new Florida culture
Meeting with reporters after practice on last week, Billy Napier was asked about his players buying into his new staff and their overall approach. The former Louisiana coach said it’s been a great transition so far.
“To be honest with you, we have had zero resistance,” Napier said. “I think that’s probably the biggest compliment I could give the players because they’ve completely embraced every change. I think it goes back to – I think the people within the organization have done a good job of establishing trust, there’s been good communication and I think we’ve explained why we do what we do and how we do it. And, overall we’ve hired really good people and people that are experts at what they do.
“I think immediately when the player senses that they care for them and that they can help them, I think that’s the reason we haven’t had much resistance at all. So, it’s probably the best thing about where we’re at right now.”
On3’s Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this report.