Billy Napier's success in Gainesville may rely on fast start to 2022 season

Want to raise a Gator? Get a Cajun.

That’s what Florida did.

Last season, the Florida Gators finished 6-7 to endure their first losing football season since 2017. In response, Billy Napier was poached from Louisiana, where he led the Ragin’ Cajuns to 40 victories in four seasons.

Napier is tasked with raising the Gators back among the Southeastern Conference elite.

On the surface, that doesn’t seem like a difficult job. However, its recruiting base alone gives Napier a distinct advantage over every SEC East Division rival except Georgia.

But Dan Mullen, Napier’s predecessor, was considered among the best coaches in college football. Now, he’s coaching in the high school ranks.

Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun

Bill Napier arrives in Gainesville as a two-time Sun Belt Coach of the Year (2019, 2021). 

Indeed, Florida has had only brief periods of success since Urban Meyer left Gainesville in 2010.

Will Muschamp failed there. Jim McElwain had moderate success, but not enough. Mullen flamed out after a good start in 2018.

Napier needs a fast start to minimize the pressure that’s always on the Florida head coach. That won’t be easy, though.

The first month of the schedule includes Utah, Kentucky and Tennessee. A 1-3 beginning is quite possible, especially for an SEC team with issues at quarterback, what appears as a mundane set of receivers, no elite running back and a thin defensive line.

Sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson backed up Emory Jones last season. Jones transferred to Arizona State, which puts Richardson in charge of the offense.

The potential is there, but Richardson threw almost as many interceptions (5) as touchdown passes (6).

The top returning running back is Nay’Quan Wright, who rushed for just 326 yards in 2021. The top receiver is transfer Ricky Pearsall, who was good but not great at Arizona State.

Defensively, the Gators were merely average last season. But the additions of secondary coach Corey Raymond from LSU and cornerback Jalen Kimber, a transfer from Georgia, figure to boost the secondary.

However, there is more cause for concern in the defensive line than there is cause for optimism in the defensive backfield.

Area of strength: The offensive line has been spotty in recent seasons but looks to be upgraded. The arrival of transfer O’Cyrus Torrence, who followed coach Billy Napier from Louisiana, fills a hole at guard. Torrence was also a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection. Junior Richard Gouraige will be a three-year starter at left tackle. Center Kingsley Eguakun is also a returning starter. The Gators allowed the fewest sacks in the SEC in 2021 and had a solid running game. The line projects to be at least as good as a year ago.

Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

Arizona State transfer Ricky Pearsall could become a potent part of Florida’s offense.

Area of concern: Aside from sophomore defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, the defensive line is a mess. The Gators are counting on true freshman Chris McClellan, a four-star recruit from Oklahoma, to find his way into the starting lineup. Counting on freshmen to start is a dicey proposition in the SEC, especially on the lines. Perhaps third-year Manor product Princely Umanmielen will surface as a significant contributor. So far, he’s recorded 21 tackles and 3.5 sacks in two seasons.

Impact newcomer: Torrence might be the best import. However, the most notable could be Ricky Pearsall, who last season led Arizona State with 48 catches for 580 yards and four touchdowns. Pearsall isn’t really a game-changer, but he does help upgrade a Florida receiving corps that was merely average in 2021.

Top players

• DT Gervon Dexter: Last season, Dexter accounted for 51 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He was also credited with seven quarterback hurries.
• G O’Cyrus Torrence: A three-year starter at Louisiana, the two-time All-Sun Belt selection immediately becomes the Gators’ best blocker.
• QB Anthony Richardson: So far, there is more potential than production. He showed flashes as a spot starter in 2021. He rushed for 401 yards and passed for 529. Florida desperately needs him to emerge as one of its top players to avoid another disastrous season.

2022 Florida schedule

• Sept. 3 vs. Utah
• Sept. 19 vs. Kentucky
• Sept. 17 vs. South Florida
• Sept. 24 at Tennessee
• Oct. 1 vs. Eastern Washington
• Oct. 8 vs. Missouri
• Oct. 15 vs. LSU
• Oct. 29 vs. Georgia
• Nov. 5 at Texas A&M
• Nov. 12 vs. South Carolina
• Nov. 19 at Vanderbilt
• Nov. 25 at Florida State