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Florida Football: What is and isn’t Billy Napier’s fault for 2023 season?

By Benjamin Henderson

Nov 25, 2022; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier gestures during the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2022; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier gestures during the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports /
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There are three games left in the season for Florida football, and even the most optimistic of Gator Nation are hunkering down for the final three games ahead. Sitting at 5-4 and needing one more win to become bowl-eligible, the Gators must face LSU, Missouri, and FSU in succession.

Given the nature of social media and polarizing hot takes, many fans want to place all the blame of the 2023 season on Billy Napier. Another camp of fans wants to lay blame on the foundation left behind by Dan Mullen.

We here at Hail Florida Hail try our best to be rational and acknowledge the truth is somewhere in the middle.

The following is what we believe is and isn’t Napier’s fault for the 2023 season.

Florida Football: Who gets the blame?

Offensive Line Depth – Mullen 

The offensive line has been a sore spot for the Gators in 2023. Despite having two offensive line coaches on staff, the Gators have been prone to being overrun and overmatched throughout the season.

Napier tried to address the offensive line in the transfer portal, adding Demion George, Micah Mazzccua, and Kiyaunta Goodwin.

Mazzccua has been fine, George could be better, and Goodwin had to leave the team at the start of camp to be closer to home with his mother.

But part of the reason there isn’t anyone to compete and take their spot is because from 2019 to 2022, Florida only signed three offensive linemen that were a four-star.

Issiah Walker Jr. never made it to Florida, went the JuCo route, and just committed with Colorado. Austin Barber is the starting left tackle. And Josh Braun opted to transfer to Arkansas last off-season.

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