Why Billy Napier, Florida must hit the transfer portal hard
Florida has no choice but to attack the transfer portal. On Thursday, Gators Online’s Nick de la Torre weighed in on Florida’s portal needs.
“Florida really needs to hit the portal hard,” de la Torre told On3’s Andy Staples. “We’re seeing guys already landing places and Florida hasn’t even hosted anybody yet. We saw them work slowly last year in the portal and thought, ‘OK, well, you’ve gotten some good guys, but Florida is going to need some veterans. Specifically, on the offensive and defensive lines, to help them immediately in 2024.”
Florida head coach Billy Napier found limited success in the transfer last offseason. The Gators lost 27 players while picking up 13. As de la Torre mentioned, Florida hasn’t burst out of the gates this portal season, either, despite having no bowl game to prepare for.
Although Florida is yet to hit the portal, the portal has sucker-punched Florida. The Gators already have 16 players in the portal, including standout running back Trevor Etienne. The sophomore finished second in rushing yards for UF in 2022 (719) and 2023 (753). He recorded 14 touchdowns in two seasons with the Gators.
Etienne isn’t the only pivotal pieces deserting the swamp. Florida EDGE Princely Umanmielen also entered the transfer portal this week. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound junior led Florida in sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hurries this year, earning himself All-SEC Second Team honors.
Staples knows Florida must replenish its talent or suffer the consequences.
“Billy Napier always says this process takes time,” Staples said. “He has advertised that his evaluation process is not the fastest. That’s fine in a world in which these transfer rules don’t exist, which was the world four years ago. But, it’s not the world now, and it feels like they they’re gonna have to speed that up.”
Billy Napier fights for his program
The clock is ticking. The fall transfer portal window opened on Dec. 4 and will close on Jan. 2. After following his debut 6-7 season with a 5-7 campaign this year, Napier’s future depends on his success in the portal. The 44-year-old head coach certainly isn’t ready to give up on his vision yet.
“We’re in the process of rebuilding the roster,” Napier said after UF’s final game. “We’re in the process of learning how to make it work at the University of Florida. We were brought here for a reason. There’s no denying that we have work to do, but I think what gives me confidence is what I see from the players, the growth I see, their words, their actions, the way they work, the selflessness, the sacrifice, their investment.
“Everybody likes to use the word buy-in, but I think for me it’s more about action. I think I’ve seen a ton of action from the players, not just how they compete on game day, but also I’m with them every day.”