JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — First-year Florida coach Billy Napier wasn’t looking for a moral victory on Saturday, but that’s what he got.
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Turnovers are the great equalizer! UF was plus three and lost by 22. That’s a moral victory? I like Napier, but with the gap widening on the recruiting trail, they aren’t anywhere close to the Dawgs. I look for the Gators to be buying out another contract in three or so years.
Don't forget Kirby took Richt's 10-3 team to a 8-5 record in his first season. It's probably too soon to get a good read on Napier. But you're right, it will take a while to get the talent level up, especially when Kirby keeps those Top 3 classes coming. How do you catch up to that?
The article that claimed that "the gap was widening on the recruiting trail" was home state newspaper stuff. Mullen's strategy was to sign classes that looked great on paper filled with 4 star recruits that Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, LSU, Ohio State, USC etc. didn't want that badly. That's how he wound up with an 8-4 team in year 3 and a 6-7 team in year 4 after going 21-5 his first two years with Jim McElwain's players. McElwain's classes were rated lower than Mullen'sbut because McElwain A. actually put in the work to identify under the radar prospects like Kyle Trask and B. also tried to compete against the big time programs for prospects that everyone actually wanted like Kyle Pitts, he actually landed a lot more good players. Best example: Brenton Cox. He would be a rotation guy at best were he still in Athens. For the Gators he is a 3 year starter, one of their best NFL prospects and is considered a team leader. That is Mullen recruiting that Mississippi State fans well remember (like at Florida, Mullen's best years were with his predecessor's recruits).
