Typically, when Billy Napier does a press conference, he doesn't get into a ton of hyper-specifics, whether it's with the team as a whole or a specific player. During his teleconference on Wednesday, that theme held true as Napier gave the most generic answers to topics like the team's depth and his thoughts on a nine-game SEC schedule.
But the last question he was asked was about wide receiver Aidan Mizell, and Napier's response gave some insight as to what the redshirt sophomore needs to do to break out in 2025.
Billy Napier reveals what Aidan Mizell needs to do
Mizell played seldom in 2023 and starting to get some meaningful snaps in 2024 before his snap count dropped during the final four games of the season.
He is viewed as a make-or-break player for Florida, and Napier went into detail as to what Mizell has to do better in 2025:
"We know that he's a really good player as a run-after-catch player, as a vertical-stretch player. He's capable in those areas, those are his strengths, but I think he needs to continue to develop as a route runner, just the entire route tree inside and outside, and then those things I mentioned before. He brings a lot of great things to the table, but I think he'll need to continue to work hard on some of those areas where he needs to improve."
Essentially, Napier is painting the picture that while Mizell can be a great over-the-top guy to run a go-route, Napier has had his concerns about Mizell when asked to run any other route.
It is somewhat telling that Napier made these comments on the heels of Mizell himself making the comment, "If you're still sleeping on me, that's on y'all."
As we wrote earlier this week, it's not Florida fans that are sleeping on Mizell, and most still have high hopes for him. Based on Napier's comments, it's the coaching staff themselves who have had their concerns.
Based on spring practice and injuries to some other guys in the Florida wide receiver room, Mizell is going to get the chance to prove himself early this season.
And if he can in fact run the whole route tree, he will become the breakout player for the Gators in 2025