Billy Napier's fate has Florida commits in wait-and-see mode

Gators coach Billy Napier is on the hottest of seats but he still has a job after a tense weekend following the latest disappointment, a 33-20 loss to Texas A&M in The Swamp, which reportedly prompted a board of trustees virtual meeting on Sunday.

No one was sure if Napier would be the coach heading into this week but there he was Monday at his weekly press conference heading into Mississippi State week.

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It might just be what the Gators need because the Bulldogs might even be worse after getting shellacked by Toledo in Starkville. Maybe the Gators fix their numerous problems and get things going on the right track.

Or it could be an eventuality that Napier is fired, the latest well-compensated coach who couldn’t turn Florida back into a national power that it was under Steve Spurrier and later Urban Meyer.

Either way, Florida’s commits are sitting around and wondering what’s next – and opponents smell blood in the water.

“It’s an unfortunate situation but I think that conversation would be more relevant if he officially gets fired,” said high four-star commit Vernell Brown when asked about his commitment status if Napier is let go.

Florida State and Miami are the two programs coming hardest after the Orlando (Fla.) Jones standout, who’s waiting to see what happens with Napier before making any further decisions.

That’s basically the case with many of Florida’s commits as the Gators have lost to Miami and Texas A&M at home and still face a brutal schedule moving forward.

Some have predicted that Napier will coach the Mississippi State matchup and then no matter the outcome will be relieved of his duties heading into a bye week.

That way the interim coach has two weeks to get ready for UCF, then Tennessee and then a November that is rough with Georgia, Texas, LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State to close things out.

Katy (Texas) Jordan running back commit Chad Gasper is looking to the future – with or without Napier there – and is excited for what quarterback DJ Lagway brings to the offense.

“I’ve been paying close attention to the noise around coach Napier and the program,” said Gasper, who remains focused on Florida but did visit Texas A&M two weeks ago.

“However, I’m still 100 percent committed to UF and very anxious to get in the building in the spring with the 2025 recruiting class to help UF get back to the top of the SEC. DJ has shown much promise so if the program is committed to building around him then we will be OK.”

Everyone is just in wait-and-see mode.

“As far as coach Napier’s job status I’ll say I don’t really know too much about it,” said three-star DB commit Devin Jackson, who has heard from UCF, Missouri, Texas A&M, Arkansas and Maryland.

“My commitment was truly about the entire program and atmosphere at the University of Florida and I will still stay true to my commitment.”

Four-star DB commit Jaelen Waters, who recently visited Miami, said: “Love my guy but this is what goes on in the process.”

Four-star receiver Naeshaun Montgomery said he’s excited to get to Gainesville in January. Four-star defensive end Jalen Wiggins said whatever happens with Napier won’t “affect anything” with his commitment.

All the other Florida commits did not respond. Too much is going on, too much is in flux for many to have much of an opinion.

Former Florida athletics director Jeremy Foley, one of the best in the business, had a saying: “What should be done eventually must be done immediately.”

Current Florida AD Scott Stricklin, who might be on the chopping block himself, doesn’t seem to subscribe to that thinking.

Instead, everyone is sitting around and waiting – including 17 high school seniors and juniors who pledged their loyalty to Napier and the Gators.

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