Billy Napier makes change to Florida's pregame info amid QB watch
Billy Napier is keeping his starting lineup guarded for Saturday’s SEC opener, and the rest of the season.
Florida had been releasing depth charts on Wednesday evening, when Napier holds his final media opportunity before gameday. Napier announced that depth charts are no more.
Last season, Florida’s depth charts included injury reports. Napier told reporters Wednesday that the Gators will now only be releasing the SEC’s mandatory availability reports.
Florida will not be releasing a depth chart anymore. They’ll just release the availability report as mandated by the SEC.
— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) September 11, 2024
Declining to release a depth chart comes as Napier has a big decision to make at quarterback.
Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz is in his sixth collegiate season, and second at Florida. Mertz was UF’s starting quarterback last season and entered the 2024 campaign as QB1. Mertz struggled in Week 1 against Miami and missed the Week 2 game against Samford.
In Mertz’s absence, 5-star freshman quarterback shined. Leading the Gators to a 45-7 victory, Lagway threw for 3 touchdowns and 456 yards, smashing Chris Leak’s true freshman record of 268 yards (2003, Kentucky). Lagway dazzled, completing 72% of his passes (18-of-25) while showing off his arm strength.
Since the Samford game, Napier has been asked about which quarterback will make the start on Saturday against Texas A&M. Napier has not named a starter, saying both quarterbacks are practicing with the first- and second-string units and that the plan is for both QBs to be used in games going forward.
Florida and Texas A&M are set for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff in Gainesville on Saturday. The game will air on ABC.
Finally! Thus begins our undefeated run to the playoffs!
Is he not wanting to deal with the commentary from fans about the depth chart before the game?
Honestly, the depth charts have been kind of silly because a large number of positions list “OR” for the 1s and even some of the 2s.
Heavy rotation is desirable on the defensive line of scrimmage. Rotation is decidedly not desirable on the offensive line of scrimmage.
And yet, we’re getting a fast and furious rotation at all OL positions except center. It’s official, we have a mess on the OL… again!
Agree about rotation the oline needs continuity, time to gel they haven’t to this point. The depth chart means nothing plus who starts really doesn’t matter. I’m more concerned about the defense than QB. We still can’t set the edge and contain. This week it’s imperative to stop the run. If A&M runs for 125 yards or more I think the Gators loose. I think they will! Gators 31 A&M 17.
I’m all for billy giving Mertz the start if he isn’t man enough to hurt his feelings. If Mertz fails like he did against Miami. He should then turn the keys over to Lagway. Hopefully he doesn’t wait until the game is out of reach are has already been decided.
Mertz starting the game and playing through the first series is the fair thing to do. He won the job in spring and summer and only lost it due to injury.
If Mertz leads the O to a score, give him the next series and continue to let him play until the O turns it over, or fails to convert and is forced to punt. If the Gators continue to move the ball and score, leave him in there until they run away with the game.
If Mertz fails to convert on the first possession and the Gators are forced to punt, give the next offensive series to Lagway and repeat the same process with him.
One or the other will establish himself and become the starter in week 4 at MSU. After a couple of weeks of that, we’ll have a better idea of who should start for the rest of the season.
Given the weakness of the Gator OL and Mertz’s lack of mobility, I believe Lagway will win out because of his legs and quick release.
This makes perfect sense. Here’s hoping this is what happens.