Billy Napier provides update on Jack Miller III, names backup QB
Jack Miller’s status is still to be determined for Florida’s first road game on Saturday, coach Billy Napier announced Wednesday on the SEC teleconference.
Miller, a quarterback transfer from Ohio State, has been sidelined for the first three games of this season as he recovers from thumb surgery in fall camp. Napier was hopeful to have him available against USF but said last week he wasn’t quite ready for action.
Miller is now able to handle a football.
“Jack is still to be determined relative to his role Saturday and potentially going forward. He has made significant progress,” Napier said Wednesday. “He’s got a football in his hands now. I think it’s just more about his comfort level physically and mentally with the thumb and where it’s at.”
While Miller works his way back to the field, redshirt freshman Jalen Kitna has earned Florida’s backup quarterback role. Since Miller’s injury in camp, Kitna has been competing for the job with walk-on Kyle Engel and true freshman Max Brown.
Over the past two weeks, Kitna has separated himself from the pack.
“I thought Jalen Kitna had his best week last week. In particular last Thursday he was extremely sharp. He had a good day of practice yesterday,” Napier said. “He’s our No. 2, and I would say Jalen has done a great job of making good decisions, he’s been very accurate and each week he gets a better understanding of our system. Been pleased with Jalen and the progress there.”
Richardson gaining experience
In addition to Miller and Kitna, Napier also discussed Florida starting quarterback Anthony Richardson during the SEC teleconference Wednesday.
Napier was asked about Richardson making his first career SEC road start and where experience shows up the most in a QB.
“It’s just repetition. When you think about it, Anthony is going into his fourth game in this system and this way of operating,” Napier said. “So, I think experience matters and I think veteran players and veteran teams benefit from that. Not that a young player can’t perform well or play well, but I just think that there’s a certain amount of wisdom that comes from experience. Not only playing in the game but preparing for games and having to do what’s required Sunday to Saturday each week along the way.
“So, football’s a developmental game and you do that in a practice environment, you do that in walkthroughs and meetings in the offseason. And certainly, I think that’s where the quarterback position is made. We’re right in the middle of that with Anthony and I’m proud of how he’s handled things so far. He continues to stay focused. The guy’s just an unbelievable human being that continues to get better.”
