Urban Meyer had ‘Chosen One’ Tim Tebow. Billy Napier needs ‘The Savior’ | Toppmeyer

By the time Tim Tebow arrived on Florida’s campus, he’d been dubbed “The Chosen One.” As far as prophecies go, this one hit the mark better than most. Tebow became the Gators’ golden boy, and now a bronze statue outside The Swamp immortalizes him.

“The Chosen One” galvanized Urban Meyer’s tenure.

Billy Napier needs “The Savior” to rescue his.

I’m referring to DJ Lagway, Florida’s blue-chip freshman quarterback whom Napier signed even while other top prospects fled UF’s recruiting class as if The Swamp was a house afire.

I’m wasting no time in anointing “The Savior,” because Napier cannot afford to slow-play the ballyhooed rookie’s SEC initiation. The dreaded “embattled coach” label properly fits Napier. His future is hitched to Lagway.

I’m not suggesting Napier should announce Lagway as Florida’s starter during this first week of spring practice. That would be a move of utter desperation. Napier doesn’t do desperation, and even a “Savior” may require an ounce of seasoning. Anyway, Florida’s got a decent veteran quarterback in Graham Mertz. The Wisconsin transfer played better than I ever thought he would last season.

OPINION: Even Steve Spurrier is questioning Florida’s Billy Napier. That can’t be good

TOPPMEYER: Four things this March that excite me more than spring football practice

FLORIDA SPRING PRACTICE: QB D.J. Lagway shines and other takeaways from Gators’ first spring practice

Two can be better than one.

Napier ought to dust off the Leak-Bow page from Urb’s playbook and reinvigorate a program that used to be known for offensive innovation. In 2006, Meyer melded veteran Chris Leak and Tebow, then a freshman, into a championship combination. (Yes, the Gators’ sturdy defense also had much to do with that team’s success.)

Leak retained a hand on the wheel of the offense,…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/urban-meyer-had-chosen-one-100232136.html

Author : The Gainesville Sun

Publish date : 2024-03-10 10:02:32

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.