2024 SEC Media Days: Spotlight on the Florida Gators

Florida coach Billy Napier kicked off the Florida Gators' segment of the Southeastern Conference's Media Days in style. Napier showed true class to start his speech. He spoke about the late Monte Kiffin, the father of current Ole Miss coach, Lane Kiffin. Napier reflected on Monte Kiffin's pivotal role in modern-day defenses like the "Tampa 2" which was the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense en route to their first Super Bowl victory.

Napier went on to talk about his players and team. Despite the Gators' extraordinarily difficult schedule in 2024, both Napier and quarterback Graham Mertz expressed optimism going into this season, noting that 17 of the team's starters are returning from last year's squad.

Every Game Is an Opportunity

Despite having the most difficult schedule in college football, the Gators are taking it in stride. Both Napier and Mertz said on multiple occasions that what the rest of the country sees as a challenge, the Gators see as an opportunity to improve. "We just see it and just care about Miami week 1," said Mertz.

Napier discussed how the team will take it week-by-week, which he said the Gators have been doing since spring practices.

Mertz echoed his coach's sentiment. Mertz commented on his belief that there were several games the Gators could have and should have won last year. One he mentioned in particular was the Arkansas game. One more victory would have made the team bowl-eligible. However, that never came to pass.

In a figurative PowerPoint presentation regarding improvements that need to be made in 2024, Napier focused on recruiting, coaching and NIL. In response to questions from reporters about NIL, Napier stressed that Florida has evolved as a university to adapt to the rapidly evolving college football landscape.

Napier also pointed to three different goals that he has been working on in the past two seasons—building the Florida culture, building new athletic facilities such as the Heavener Athletic Facility and overhauling nutrition regiments and strength and conditioning programs.

Florida Gators QB Mertz: Rising Star

Mertz's first words during his session were: "I'm just excited to be back". The Florida quarterback has already won the respect of his locker room in just one short year and said he looks to finish his career in a Gator uniform.

"Last year, I was learning their names. This year, I'm learning the why's," said Mertz. "As a leader, I need to get to know everyone on a team before I try to lead them because I don't know how they will all respond to things."

Mertz also talked about how he appreciated the history behind the Florida/Georgia rivalry and how the coaches had prepared them for the "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" last year.

The Gators look to surprise in the SEC in 2024. Napier and Mertz are optimistic they can do so.

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