Tim Tebow lists why Florida fans should be excited about Year 3 under Billy Napier

Billy Napier has gotten off to a rough start at Florida as he has had back-to-back losing seasons to begin his time in Gainesville. Former Gators star quarterback Tim Tebow is confident that Year 3 will be when Napier starts turning things around.

Tebow appeared on The Paul Finebaum Show Friday afternoon and shared why he is optimistic about Napier and Florida heading into the 2024 season.

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“Listen, I think some people could take it as obviously I’m a Gator. I love Florida. I love Gator Nation,” Tim Tebow said. “But you put that to the side, and I do believe there’s a lot of positives.”

One of those is returning quarterback Graham Mertz, who quietly had a really good season in 2023. Mertz threw for more than 2,900 yards and 20 touchdowns, with only three interceptions last season. He also completed better than 70 percent of his passes.

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“I think that we have one of the better quarterbacks in the SEC in Graham Mertz,” Tebow said. “I really believe in him.”

Tebow also feels that Billy Napier has improved the culture at Florida now that he is entering his third season in Gainesville. Gators players understand the expectations and what it takes to do things the way Napier wants them done.

“I think that there’s improvement in the culture, in the buy in. I think they went out and they got some guys that they needed from an Xs and Os standpoint – more importantly they needed from a culture standpoint,” Tebow said. “And while we talk about the Jimmys and Joes and the Xs and Os, that’s important.

“But what still matters most in college football is team. And it’s harder now than ever to have a team where yea, we’re not just wearing the same jersey, but we have the same heart posture, we have the same mindset, we have the same goals, we have the same vision. And I think this team is closer to that.”

Tebow is well aware that Florida has an incredibly difficult schedule, which includes games against eight of the top 20 teams in the country. But he also feels like Napier and his team are ready for the challenges in front of them.

“Do they have the hardest schedule in the country? Yes, I believe so. Is it going to be extremely difficult to navigate? Absolutely,” Tebow said. “But I do think there’s a lot to buy into, there’s a lot to believe in, there’s a lot to hope for as a Gator fan. I think they’re taking the right steps. And I’m excited to see what happens with the team.”