Napier has ‘diehard’ Vols in his family, but they're Gators this week
Florida Gators football is the No. 1 topic in Good Morning Gators every day — but we cover news, notes and analysis from across the Gators sports world. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything in the world of Florida football, UF recruiting, Gators basketball, Florida baseball and more.
During his four seasons at Louisiana, Florida’s Billy Napier never a coached a game in the state of Tennessee, where he was born. That changes on Saturday.
Napier leads his No. 20 Gators (2-1, 0-1 SEC) into Rocky Top for a matchup with No. 11 Tennessee (3-0). Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS from a sold-out Neyland Stadium.
It’s a homecoming game for Napier, who has some Volunteer faithful in his family.
“I’ve got all kind of family that’s diehard Tennessee fans,” Napier said Monday. “My uncle’s family and all that crew, they live in Crossville. My mom and dad went to Tennessee Tech. We moved to Georgia when I was about 2 years old.
“So, my mom’s parents owned a tobacco farm in Sparta, Tennessee. My dad grew up in Celina, Tennessee. Know all about the Vols for sure.”
Despite those Tennessee roots, Napier says his family members will be Florida fans this week.
“Absolutely, yeah. If they’re not, they won’t be at the game, I can promise you that,” Napier quipped.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE GATORS ONLINE YOUTUBE PAGE
In other Florida football news
- Anthony Richardson is watching extra film with WRs in an effort to find the end zone.
- Florida coach Billy Napier jokes that his wife told him UF’s passing needs to improve.
- Florida’s first road game means coach Billy Napier must cut a 70-player travel roster.
- The Gators’ lack of quarterback depth is changing how Anthony Richardson is playing.
- Hand it to him: Florida cornerback Jalen Kimber takes his first career pick to the house.
UF recruiting roundup
- Why On3 ranks UF commit Eugene Wilson III significantly higher than the rest of industry.
- Nine Florida commits earned a spot Monday in the updated 2023 rankings from On300.
- Tracking the Future Gators: Several commits made their presence felt in games last week.
- The first trip to Florida was a success for the No. 5-ranked 2024 interior offensive lineman.
Let’s keep talking
Want to keep the conversation going? Head over to our Florida message board, Swamp Talk. Sign up here and join the discussion.
Also, you can sign up for Gators Online’s FREE Newsletter to have the latest in Gators sports sent directly to your mailbox every day.
Gators Twitter updates
- Episode 3 of Florida’s #jOURney series:
- Players of the Week for the USF game:
- Desmond Watson with a huge tackle:
![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier celebrates with Florida Gators wide receiver Aidan Mizell (11) after a touchdown during the first half at the Orange and Blue spring football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 13, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/04/13155133/Untitled-design-65-2.png)
