Halfway through spring, next two weeks will be ‘critical’ for Gators

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•04/01/24•

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Billy Napier | Florida Spring Scrimmage No. 1

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Eight practices and one scrimmage in, Florida is at the halfway point of spring camp. The Gators will have seven more practices this month, including a second scrimmage on Saturday and the Orange & Blue Game on April 13.

UF coach Billy Napier called the next two weeks “critical” for his football team.

“When you get to practice six, seven and eight, you know, you find out what type of team you have,” Napier said. “Scrimmage No. 1, first time we’ve tackled, first time we’ve kind of managed the in-game situation piece as players, and I think it’s really reflected what I’ve seen for the first seven.

“I’ve been pleased with what I see. I do think that the next two weeks are going to be critical. I think that’s the big takeaway. … It’s important that we have a great focus over the next two weeks, so critical two weeks to come. We’ve got to get really specific about the areas where we need to improve.”

At this point in spring camp, Napier said about 80 percent of the Gators’ playbook has been installed and most of the schematic concepts are built. The next two weeks will involve less teaching and more refining.

“There’s a lot of information that’s been taught. We’ve observed players and we’re kind of in a rhythm, right. We’re installing quite a bit,” Napier said. “The volume of the installation will go down and it will become more about the development piece with each individual player.

“So, less information for them to take on that’s new each day and more about not what to do but how to do it and why to do it a certain way. And I think that’s where the back half of spring really presents opportunities. You can refine that – the how-to and the why-to it.”

Before the Gators return to the practice field Tuesday, Napier and the coaching staff will “evaluate each player individually” and create a plan for them to narrow their focus.

Each position coach evaluates his group as well, Napier said, and then the staff will collectively assess all three phases of the game.

“We only get to get on the grass with the players so many times, right? Especially with pads on. So, from a process standpoint, from a fundamental standpoint, I think each individual player is in a little different place, and part of coaching is getting someone from point A to point B.

“At this point we try to get really specific with each player,” Napier said. “You get specific with fundamentals, special situations, maybe position flexibility, moving guys around. … Now it’s about the little things. So, I’m hoping we can get that done. It’s a critical two weeks to come here.”

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