1. I don’t want to get on a soapbox, but …

The path is clear now. There are no more obstacles for Anthony Richardson.

Only expectations.

“There’s a reason people think (Richardson) has an opportunity to be a good player,” said new Florida coach Billy Napier.

That was after one practice with Richardson, the Gators’ uber-talented but work in progress quarterback.

Wait, make that, starting quarterback.

Because for the first time since he arrived in Gainesville in 2020, the job is Richardson’s to lose. Napier won’t say as much, nor will Richardson.

But if there’s one lasting impact of 2021 embattled starter Emory Jones entering the transfer portal last week, it’s this: Who now pushes Richardson to get better?

Who forces Richardson, a tease of a talent for the past 2 seasons, to get better through 15 spring practices, 3 months of offseason preparation and 5 weeks of fall camp – and all the way until Utah rolls into Gainesville the first week of September?

And more than that, for every week thereafter.

Before Jones announced last week that he was leaving Florida, Richardson – the presumed starter even with Jones on the roster – said Jones staying was the best thing for him.

“I’m glad he’s still here, pushing me,” Richardson said.

Only now he’s not. Now there’s Ohio State transfer Jack Miller, and former Dan Mullen recruits Jalen Kitna and Carlos Del Rio-Wilson behind Richardson on the depth chart.

Translation: There’s a boatload of uncertainty behind the tantalizing talent of Richardson, which so far in his brief college career has been equal parts wow and woof.

If the first few spring practices at Florida are any indication – it’s early, and there’s plenty of development ahead – there’s a significant gulf between Richardson and the rest of the quarterbacks. That, everyone, is a problem.

Richardson has dealt with significant injuries in his 2 seasons at Florida, including a hamstring that kept him from the better part of 3 games in 2021, and a knee injury that has bothered him since high school.

The cartilage injury from high school was cleaned up this offseason, and Richardson – who was expected to miss most of spring practice – rehabbed ahead of schedule and has been full-go since Day 1 of spring drills.

“I was impressed with what I saw,” Napier said after Richardson’s first spring practice. “His attitude has been good. He has impressed me with how he retains information and his attention to detail. It’s our job to help him be the best player he can be.”

That’s the 2-ton elephant in the room. Because no matter how many “wow” highlights you replay on the DVR, the starting quarterback at Florida has a history of injuries and a career TD/INT ratio of 7/6, and has completed less than 60% of his passes.

In SEC games, those numbers dip to 3 TDs and 6 INTs.

Now he has no one on the depth chart capable of pushing him, and only the coaching of Napier driving the idea of improving every snap.

“Anthony works. He doesn’t need any other competition than himself,” said Denny Thompson, Richardson’s quarterback trainer and owner of 6 Points Quarterback Training. “He’s competing to be a (NFL draft) first rounder.”

When Napier arrived at Florida, he had both Jones and Richardson speak to Levi Lewis, his quarterback of 4 years at Louisiana. Lewis was a marginal recruit, an athletic, raw talent who developed significantly under Napier, who coached the quarterbacks and called plays at Louisiana (like he will at Florida).

Lewis was listed at 5-10, 185 pounds on the Louisiana roster, and that was generous. He’s dwarfed by Richardson’s freakish 6-4, 235-pound frame, and Richardson has a stronger arm and more advanced skill set.

But in 53 games with Napier, Lewis had a 72/17 ratio, and won 41 of 53 games. He’s not playing football professionally, and might find his way on an NFL practice squad as a project receiver.

Richardson, meanwhile, has been compared to Cam Newton since he stepped on the field at Florida.

“I had some good games and bad games,” Richardson said. “But the most important part is being comfortable out there and getting used to how everything works, and having the reps and being confident.”

And not wilting under the weight of expectations.

2. Strengthening the QB room

Within a week of taking the Florida job, Napier landed his first key recruit: transfer portal QB Jack Miller.

He needed another body in the quarterback room, and he more than likely wasn’t going to use a scholarship on the lower third of high school quarterbacks available.

He also knew if Jones stayed and competed for the job, he’d likely lose Jones or Richardson to the transfer portal at the end of spring drills. Now he already has lost Jones, and that puts pressure squarely on Miller – who played sparingly last season at Ohio State, and left after losing out to freshman Kyle McCord for the backup job to CJ Stroud.

If Kitna and/or Del Rio-Wilson were viable alternatives, they would’ve have played in the disastrous 2021 season when Richardson was hurt and Jones couldn’t protect the ball. Jones led the nation in interceptions, and Richardson – when not missing because of injury – was inconsistent and at times reckless with ball security.

If either of the 2 freshman backups could move the offense and protect the ball, they would’ve played. That’s why Napier’s first move was to sign Miller, and why neither Kitna nor Del Rio-Wilson are expected to push Richardson.

That leaves a huge question mark in Napier’s plan to win early at Florida. It’s not inconceivable that Richardson, with his history of injuries, will miss time again this fall. That was, in fact, the very reason Napier coveted Miller, who arrived at Ohio State with Stroud after being offered by nearly every blueblood program (including Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Texas A&M in the SEC).

In 2 years at Ohio State, Miller lost out on the starting job competition (Stroud), and backup competition (McCord). While that doesn’t mean he should be filed away as a 4-star bust, it certainly doesn’t mean he’s Joe Burrow transferring from Ohio State.

More than likely, it’s somewhere in the middle – but is that enough if Richardson is injured again? And as important: Is it enough to press Richardson this spring and summer to make him the best starter he can be?

Because if Richardson does reach his potential under Napier, a talented team will become a dangerous team.

3. One last shot

It was only a matter of time before Jones left Florida, even though he told Napier he would stay and compete in spring practice and decide after that.

When Richardson had surgery on his knee, he was told he would miss a majority of spring practice. That would benefit Jones, not just from repetitions with the first team, but with specific one-on-one coaching with the new staff.

But Richardson showed up on the first day of spring drills after intensive rehab, and was declared ready to participate by the Florida medical staff. After 3 practices, Jones made the decision to leave.

There are two Power 5 quarterbacks with starting experience in the transfer portal available: Jones and former Georgia starter JT Daniels. There are a handful of Power5 programs looking for a starter, or competition for the starting spot.

Daniels has visited Oregon State, Missouri and West Virginia, and Jones more than likely will get a hard look from Missouri and West Virginia. The Missouri quarterback room is full of uncertainty after Connor Bazelak transferred, and star freshman signee Sam Horn is a potential first-round selection in the Major League Baseball draft in June.

If Horn is a first-rounder, he would receive a large signing bonus to forgo college football and play professional baseball. Brady Cook, who played well in the bowl game loss to Army, is the projected starter – but both Daniels and Jones could win the job at Missouri.

4. A disturbing trend

Alabama has been so good for so long under coach Nick Saban, the flaws are often overlooked.

Case in point: The lack of recruiting and development success at the wide receiver position over the past 3 years.

For years, Alabama sent receiver after receiver to the NFL, many in the first round. But the past 3 recruiting classes at Alabama have produced one impact player at the position: John Metchie III (from 2019).

The 2020 class of Thaiu Jones-Bell, Javon Baker and Traeshon Holden have combined for 33 career catches and 2 TDs, and the 2021 class of Ja’Corey Brooks, Agiye Hall, JoJo Earle and Christian Leary have 33 career catches and 3 TDs.

But for the addition of Jameson Williams from the transfer portal last season, Alabama’s wide receiver room would’ve been Metchie and possession receiver Slade Bolden – and not much else.

Now it’s clear why Alabama desperately wanted (and signed) Georgia portal transfer WR Jermaine Burton.

In the past 3 years, 7 high school recruits (not including Metchie) have combined for 66 catches and 5 TDs over 41 games at Alabama. That’s missing on recruits, and poor development. Or both.

The Tide signed 3 4-star recruits in the 2022 class but missed out on the top 3 wide receiver recruits: Luther Burden (Missouri), Evan Stewart (Texas A&M) and Chris Marshall (Texas A&M).

5. The Weekly Five

The top 5 breakout seasons for 2022:

1. DE/OLB Dallas Turner, Alabama

2. LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Georgia

3. G O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida

4. QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

5. WR Tayvion Robinson, Kentucky

6. Your tape is your résumé

An NFL scout breaks down a draft-eligible SEC player. This week: Alabama OT Evan Neal.

“This is what I really hate about the 3-month window between the Super Bowl and the draft. You start hearing people tear down players – more times than not, for selfish reasons. The further they fall, the better chance you have that they fall to you. (Neal) is the perfect example. Look at him. Physically look at him; he’s a specimen.

“Watch his tape. Watch him play. Watch his feet and his reach and his power and his quick sets. He has been a professional for the last 2 years in college. He’s a no-brainer first pick overall. It’s not even close. I like (Aidan) Hutchinson a lot, but you’re talking about a guy that essentially did it for one season. This kid (Neal) has done it since he stepped on the field at Alabama, in the toughest conference in college football. But we have to hear about this perceived flaw or that perceived flaw, or that previous Alabama left tackles haven’t translated to our league. That’s all bull—. Every player is different. Every player has flaws. (Neal) is the cleanest player on the board, period.”

7. Powered Up

This week’s Power Poll, and one big thing: a glaring weakness to fix in spring practice:

1. Alabama: An average offensive line that gave up 41 sacks last season has a long way to go – and no real leaders at both tackle positions.

2. Georgia: Among all the uncertainty of young stars moving into prominent roles, the secondary has the most questions.

3. Texas A&M: Aggies took a step back in 2021 because they got pushed around in the front seven on defense in big games.

4. Arkansas: Revamped secondary must eliminate big play throws.

5. Kentucky: Star TB Chris Rodriguez is back; majority of elite line (and OL coach) is not.

6. Florida: No true No. 1 receiver – or tight end who can stretch the field – could stagnate development of offense.

7. LSU: New coach Brian Kelly wants LSU stronger and quicker on the line of scrimmage, the main culprit to a pitiful 3.3 yards per carry in 2021.

8. Tennessee: Defensive alignment and pursuit: Vols gave up 61 plays of 20+ yards in 2021, including 12 of 40+.

9. Mississippi State: Eliminate poor protection (34 sacks), and QB Will Rogers will have monster, Heisman Trophy-worthy season.

10. Ole Miss: Consistent play from receivers was major problem in 2021, and could be again.

11. South Carolina: Having the QB position figured out (Spencer Rattler) doesn’t mean as much if the protection is shaky.

12. Auburn: Bryan Harsin can’t go 2 straight years without an SEC-caliber QB and survive. Maybe he takes a chance on Emory Jones?

13. Missouri: Blake Baker, the 3rd DC in 3 seasons under coach Elia Drinkwitz, must fix historically bad run defense.

14. Vanderbilt: Completing more than 54% of passes. Job No. 1 for new OC/QB coach Joey Lynch.

8. Ask and you shall receive

Matt: I love offense like everyone, but I also realize the only way my Hogs are going to compete with Alabama and everyone else in the (SEC) West is through defense. Give me hope for this season. — Leroy Maher, Little Rock.

Leroy:

One of the most underrated (and overlooked) transfer portal signings of the offseason was DE/OLB Drew Sanders leaving Alabama for Arkansas. A legit, 5-star impact edge rusher added to a defense that desperately needs a presence off the edge.

Only Vanderbilt, which had all of 9 sacks in 12 games last season, had less sacks than Arkansas (25). Sanders only had 1 sack in 2021, but he missed half of the season with a hand/wrist injury and was ineffective when he returned because he was limited by playing with a cast.

When he played early in the season, he showed flashes of elite pass rush skills and the ability to affect the quarterback. By the time he returned from his injury in late November, Dallas Turner – the Tide’s other 5-star freshman DE/OLB – was more comfortable and playing faster and making plays. That severely limited Sanders’ playing time.

Sanders will give the Hogs an explosive athlete off the edge and will be a disruptive factor in pass rush situations. If the revamped secondary plays to its potential, Sanders will have a breakout season.

9. Numbers

16.7. There’s no debate about the success of the Mike Leach Air Raid offense. It works everywhere.

But to play meaningful games in November in the SEC, Leach’s offense must average more than 16.7 carries a game by its running backs – like it did last season at Mississippi State.

In Leach’s best season as a coach, his 2008 Texas Tech team averaged 24.3 carries a game and had 1,532 yards and 28 TDs. Mississippi State last season had 821 yards and 10 TDs.

Most recently, in 2018 at Washington State – when the Cougars were deep in the Playoff run in November – Leach’s offense averaged 21.6 carries a game and had 1,010 yards and 24 TDs.

10. Quote to note

Florida coach Billy Napier: “One of the things I’d say I’m most pleased with is the reception of the players. They have really taken it and run with it. They’ve completely bought in. We have had very little resistance. They are excited.”