Everything Billy Napier said on the SEC teleconference for Texas week

Each week the SEC holds a teleconference for all 16 head coaches in the league. Billy Napier took his turn Wednesday to discuss Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, Texas QB Arch Manning, Saturday’s matchup against the Longhorns and more.

Here’s everything Napier said on the SEC Teleconference.

Billy Napier’s opening statement

BILLY NAPIER: “Really excited about the challenge of playing this Texas team. Obviously, ton of respect for how they play in all three parts of their team. Certainly, some challenges with the personnel, the scheme. It’s great to be back at home after being on the road for a couple of weeks here, and excited about what could be a very special atmosphere with our fans. This has been talked about for a long time, and Texas coming to play at Florida is a big deal, and we look forward to it.”

On managing a quarterback in today’s game with more external expectations:

BILLY NAPIER: “I think that, you know, ultimately, you’re trying to create confidence. I think that’s your number one job as a coach, is to help build confidence in the players, in the individual player, and certainly quarterback is a position where that’s very important. So you anchor your confidence in how you prepare. I do think that you also lean on your intangibles. I think the things that you build throughout the offseason in terms of your self-discipline, your resilience. I think the leadership component is really important as well. And then you get into, you got to realize you’re part of a team, you know, and that you play as part of a complimentary game, offense, defense and kicking game. So you got to lean on your teammates. And then I do think that the final piece there is just your character as a person, relative to being a great teammate, being loyal, doing your part, right? I think that’s what so special about the game of football, so, that’s what we try to do for our players, and I do think the preparation piece was number one on the list. So that routine, that structure, you know, I think if we check all the boxes throughout the week and we’re doing the work the right way, that allows for the player to have some confidence. Obviously the game’s changed quite a bit in terms of the professionalism of college football, but I think in a place like Florida, playing quarterback has always been a big deal, and the guys that sign up for that typically know what they’re getting into.” 

On where DJ Lagway’s confidence is at:

BILLY NAPIER: “I think that he improves with each full speed rep that he gets. We obviously had an open date last week so that presented an opportunity for him to get more work. Obviously we know about, he’s had a very challenging offseason in terms of time missed, and I think that we’re trying to get him caught up, right? It’s all about feedback for me at quarterback, right? Every time I take a snap, or play a play, or process, or the ball comes off my hand, I’m self-correcting, right? I’m improving my process in terms of how I communicate, how I process, my decision making and just what I can get away with, my anticipation, my accuracy, and I think that’s been ultimately the challenge for us is trying to get him ramped up. I think this is the sixth week of real practice, so, and he’s working his tail off and I think that with each rep that he takes I think he’s getting more and more comfortable.”

On how Steve Sarkisian has evolved over the years: 

BILLY NAPIER: “I really like Sark. I’ve always gotten along with Sark, I have a ton of respect for his knowledge, I think he’s a good person, I think he has really good intentions, cares about people, I respect his evolution as a coach in terms of what he’s been through personally. Offensively, Sark has always done a good job of evolving, from going back to the SC days of being in the huddle, being underneath the center the majority of the time, very pro oriented, obviously has been in the NFL, and then going to the college game, being more in the gun, the RPO aspect, and just from a run game standpoint on all the complements, you know, little bit more mid zone and obviously a sprinkle of the gap plays and all the play passes that come with that. He’s always done a good job and I have a ton of respect for him as a coach.”

On what’s impressive about Arch Manning:

BILLY NAPIER: “I’ve known Arch since he was young. Being in that state, and then obviously, have a relationship with Archie. I do think that he is extremely talented. You could argue coming out, you know, it was a lot of fun to watch. Just the size, the athleticism, the pedigree and the understanding of the game. So, he’s played extremely well in the past, and I do think the biggest difference in my opinion is the surrounding cast. Not only is he a new starter, but I think there’s a lot of players on that side of the ball that are playing in that system for the first time. So in general, he’s extremely talented and capable of being very efficient and explosive. So he’s got a bright feature in front of him.”

On if more penalties are being called in CFB this year:

BILLY NAPIER: “I don’t know the numbers off the top of my head. I do think my message to the team after the open date is we came to the conclusion that, you know, more games are lost than won. And sometimes sloppy play, undisciplined penalties, poor decision making can cost you. So, I think I watched one possession this weekend in an SEC game where there were three 15-yard penalties, and really, that was only successful plays in the whole drive. And then they had one in the red zone for a touchdown. So, I think the first way you win is you don’t beat yourself. We’ve had our fair share, some of which have been procedural and some technical. But I do think in general, it’s important to understand that’s an area where you can create an advantage for yourself.”

On if Manning’s struggles are typical of a first-year starter: 

BILLY NAPIER: “Look, I think in general, quarterback in particular is the hardest position in all of sports. And you’re dependent on others. There’s a level of detail and the precision that’s required to play really, really good offense at a high level, especially early in the season when you play against good competition. So you couldn’t have a much more challenging game than Ohio State on the road in the opener for a first-time starter. So, I think it’s part of his development and I think it’s important for us on the outside to be realistic about expectations with these young QBs. Rookie quarterbacks in the NFL struggle themselves, much less these guys who are starting their careers in college. So, these guys are going to continue to improve. They’re very talented. They’re great leaders and teammates, and sometimes struggle can be the best thing that happens to you if you handle it the right way and have the right perspective.”