Latest news with #Gators
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
How watching Warriors convinced Will Richard to change sports and transform his body
LAS VEGAS — His workout over with the Golden State Warriors, Will Richard walked into an office inside Chase Center with general manager Mike Dunleavy and other team staffers to watch a replay of the first half of the NCAA championship game. Conversations covered Richard's four 3-pointers, a mid-range jumper, four rebounds and a steal. They didn't cover his favorite contribution to Florida's 66-63 victory over Houston in the Alamodome on April 7. With the Gators clinging to a one-point lead with 20-plus seconds to play, the senior secured his last collegiate steal — swiping the basketball off the Houston ballhandler from the strongside corner via perfect help. 'He was always there to pick us up when need be, and he was always there to play a great supporting role in every way, shape and form,' Gators associate head coach Carlin Hartman said. Stop. Score. Championship. 'That championship — as a whole — doesn't happen without Will Richard.' The timely shot-making, connective cutting, dogged defense and steely demeanor that steadied the Gators would woo the Warriors, who acquired Richard through last month's NBA draft. The smiley 6-foot-4 swingman with tapered locs and a tattooed sleeve — forming with Christian allegory one half of his 6-foot-10 wingspan — has been displaying it all for their summer league squad in the California Classic and at UNLV. Belying his statistical output this summer — 12.4 points on 44.9% shooting, 21.7% 3-point shooting, 4.2 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals — is the determination developed in his hometown of Ooltewah, Tenn., advanced in Atlanta, burnished at Belmont and fortified at Florida the past three years. As a longtime fan of the Warriors from afar, Richard willed his way to Golden State. The Warriors hosted Richard's penultimate predraft workout among the 17 in which he participated. Training began a week after the national championship. Graduation from Florida followed a few weeks later for Richard, his degree in management of sport secured. While in Gainesville, Fla., Richard also was schooled in the nuance of Florida's free-flowing offense and was a willing defender, making him ideal fit for Golden State as the 56th pick. The franchise has turned draft picks in the 50s (Gui Santos, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quinten Post) the past three years into contributors, and Richard is thrilled so far with his fit, immersing himself in the Warriors way. 'I like that we play fast,' Richard said last week after Golden State's first practice in Las Vegas. 'They want you to play free, but on the other end you've got to guard with ball pressure and stuff like that. Just playing hard. Playing fast and playing physical.' The youngest of three children (along with Sara and AJ) born to Helen and Al, Richard was raised in Ooltewah, a rural town 20 miles east of Chattanooga populated by 406. His father played defensive line at Clemson and worked at a nuclear power plant, doubling as an ordained minister. His mother tended their tight-knit home and taught her children at Sunday school. Faith in Christ forms Richard's foundation and the basis of his tattooed sleeve — along with undying faith in himself, like his father, a football player. As 'a little chubby kid,' Richard manned the trenches, working the offensive and defensive lines until a burgeoning love for basketball — and the Warriors — would end his foray on the football field. It would also start a commitment to fitness, coinciding with a move to suburban Atlanta, where his father franchised a Chick-fil-A restaurant ahead of Richard's ninth-grade year. The 230-pound freshman forward — with advice from his father, who played alongside several NFL players at Clemson — chiseled his body through force of focus, a pescatarian diet, running, running, running and running. 'Summers were miserable, but it paid off,' Richard said. Without prompting, Richard would rise to sprint up the hills by his Atlanta home, often in a weighted vest and under the brooding Southern heat. By his junior season at Woodward Academy — to which he transferred after two years at Fayette County High School, seeking superior college preparation — he redefined his athletic profile, trimming to 195 pounds. Richard 'completely … willed himself into the athlete he is today,' his father said. College interest piqued toward Richard upon his junior season at Woodward, Georgia's state champion for which he was second in scoring and rebounding to Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler. Daily workouts at 6 a.m. preceded the start of the scholastic schedule, affording Richard the coaching and practice to reconstruct his jumper unabated. Absent Kessler, Richard would be featured as a senior in 2020-21, but COVID-19 compromised summertime recruiting during the club basketball season. High-major programs didn't recruit Richard, but Belmont was steadfast in its pursuit. Bruins head coach Casey Alexander watched streams of Richard's games and regularly recruited him via videoconference. 'He just kept working, kept working, kept working,' Woodward coach Anthony Thomas said. 'He was so grateful to get the attention he was getting, he had no problem going to Belmont.' Richard pledged to play for Belmont without meeting Alexander face to face, visiting its campus in Nashville with his family and meeting his head coach when he moved that summer. He found a fit on an experienced team (that included Indiana Pacers wing Ben Sheppard) through his versatility and scoring craft. Richard also was a plus athlete in the Ohio Valley Conference. Richard averaged 12.1 points (46.8% shooting, 32.6% 3-point shooting), 6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals as a freshman, guarding power forwards and playing the wing in Belmont's four-out offense. Alexander said, 'Because of what we had around him, we just needed him to be a really good, solid piece for us on both ends, and he was more than that.' And a soon-to-be starter in the SEC. The successes of Richard's freshman season spawned a trek through the transfer portal, in which dozens of programs solicited his skills. Richard said his recruitment as a transfer was 'completely different' than it was in high school. Florida head coach Todd Golden called Richard every day he was in the portal, drawing a visit from Richard to Gainesville and soon his first-ever signee with the Gators. Golden 'said I could be a huge part of bringing the team back to the national championship, and seeing that come to fruition was special,' Richard said. First at Florida his sophomore season, Richard found a fit as a complementary wing who would catch and shoot from beyond the arc, drive against closeouts and guard the perimeter. As the Gators evolved, so did Richard — establishing his voice as Florida's leader while sharpening and deepening his set of skills. 'Our coach on the floor,' said Hartman, Richard's closest confidant on the coaching staff. As an upperclassman, Richard 'was the guy that was breaking down' Gators huddles and keying defensive communication. He relished his role, noting leadership helped him 'take the pressure off, thinking about myself all the time. I'm thinking about how I can make my teammates better. … Once I started honing into that leader role, I feel like my game elevated.' Richard started 105 of the 108 games he played at Florida, averaging 11.8 points (46.2% shooting, 36.3% 3-point shooting), 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals. As a senior en route to the national title — a journey that included Sweet 16 and Elite Eight wins at Chase Center — he tallied 13.3 points (48.7% shooting, 35.9% 3-point shooting), 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.7 steals. Pro prep continued after the season in Los Angeles and pre-draft workouts followed, none more significant than that for Golden State. ' Stephen Curry was his hero,' the elder Richard said. The younger Richard met Curry during the California Classic, calling their meeting a 'top-three moment' in his life. When Richard would shoot in Ooltewah, then still 'a big chunky kid' per his dad, he would stretch his range past 30 feet, inspired by Curry and teammate Klay Thompson. He fancied the Warriors 'for the way they play. … They play a fun brand of basketball. They play together. They have fun with it. They shoot a lot of threes, cuts, all that. … Just play the right way.' They drafted Richard to play that way with them. Said Richard: 'This is where I wanted to be.'
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
CBS Sports predicts 1,000-yard receiver for Florida football in 2025 season
It's been more than two decades since a Florida football wide receiver eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in a single season. That streak could come to an end in 2025. In a recent roundup of bold SEC predictions, CBS Sports' Brad Crawford projected that Florida's offense–led by quarterback DJ Lagway–is poised to break the program's longest-standing offensive drought. Crawford believes this fall could mark the first time since Taylor Jacobs' 1,088-yard campaign in 2002 that a Florida receiver reaches the milestone. For head coach Billy Napier, 2025 represents a potential turning point–not just for the team's record, but for its identity on offense. Lagway will be working with a wide receiver room that blends veteran experience with high-upside newcomers. Eugene "Tre" Wilson III returns as the top target for Lagway and the Gators offense, UCLA transfer J. Michael Sturdivant brings production and size while Aidan Mizell carries elite speed. Two of the top wide receiver recruits in the nation–Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III–round out the Gators' new-look group of wide receivers. With multiple legitimate options on the perimeter and Lagway's arm talent anchoring the offense, Florida's passing game could be positioned for its most dynamic season in recent years. Here is everything Crawford wrote about Florida football having a potential 1,000-yard receiver in 2025. What CBS Sports said about the Gators "Offense produces first 1,000-yard receiver since 2002: Taylor Jacobs remains the last Florida pass catcher to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark, finishing with 1,088 yards more than two decades ago. The Gators are expected to air it out this fall with D.J. Lagway under center, and this unit features several receivers capable of reaching a milestone that only Ricky Pearsall, Kadarius Toney, Riley Cooper and Dallas Baker have come close to matching since Jacobs. "Whether it's Eugene Wilson, transfer J. Michael Sturdivant or one of Florida's two elite freshmen in Vernell Brown III or Dallas Wilson — someone from this group has a strong chance to finally break through." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Billy Napier: Gators ready for gauntlet schedule, can ‘compete with any team'
Watching his basketball counterpart cut down the nets at the Alamodome was a moment of euphoria Billy Napier wouldn't mind experiencing himself in January. National championship might not have been on the Napier bingo card on Wednesday at SEC Media Days, but the embattled Florida coach didn't mind leveling up the vision for the Gators in 2025. 'There's a little something different in the air right now in Gainesville,' Napier said, referring to his team as a 'special group.' 'This group believes in what we do. I think that's where we really took a big step in the right direction last year is we found a level of confidence that we could go toe to toe with any team in the country any place, anytime.' Napier said there's in-house evidence the developmental process is working in overdrive. The Gators will be asked to present evidence he's right with a gauntlet of a schedule that includes this six-game stretch: Sept. 13, at LSU, Sept. 20 at Miami, Oct. 4 vs. Texas, Oct. 11 at Texas A&M, Oct. 18 vs. Mississippi State and Nov. 1 vs. Georgia. The Gators are counting on quarterback DJ Lagway to lift the offense after a breakout 2024 season. 'Just the competitor on game day is really unique. I think his ability to block out all the external factors and really get consumed with leading the team, playing winning football, executing,' Napier said of what makes Lagway a winner. 'And we've built around the guy. There's no question. Players want to play with DJ. We've built his class around that and certainly some of these guys that are in the rookie group were a part of that as well.' Outside expectations are higher for Florida, but not many are starting their SEC Championship winner projections with Napier's crew given the proven contender status of some of teams standing in the way. Napier's coaching life cycle in Gainesville has advanced rapidly, even if not always in the direction he would like. As Todd Golden and the Gators' basketball team were starting the 2024-25 regular season in November as fringe contenders, Napier was being spared his job by athletic director Scott Stricklin. At the time, Gator Nation was champing at the bit to have Stricklin swing the other way and take the reported offer from boosters to buy out Napier's contract. Florida was 4-4 and still had Texas, LSU, Ole Miss and the Florida State rivalry game to get through. Napier had reason to celebrate when the Gators finished 8-5 and 4-4 in the SEC, defying expectations for a nosedive or worse. He has a 19-19 record in three seasons in Gainesville. In the process, Napier has a bit more support and a lot bigger expectations. 'I think the important part is what we expect from each other. I think we've learned that, right? I think it's not only -- not only do you need to block out noise, but it's absolutely necessary that you do it,' Napier said. 'So I think we've got to have high expectations for each other. We see each other every day. I think this is player to player; it's coach to player, coach to coach, all parts of our organization.' Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
What ESPN says is the biggest X factor for Florida football in 2025
Florida football is heading into the 2025 college football season with renewed optimism–and a whole lot riding on the health of quarterback DJ Lagway. In a recent ESPN breakdown of the biggest X factors for every Top 25 college football team, Lagway's status was highlighted as the key to Florida's success this fall. Lagway dealt with lingering shoulder soreness throughout the spring, limiting his reps and causing concern heading into the summer. He played just five snaps in Florida's spring game and spent most of spring practice on a pitch count. However, he resumed throwing in late April, and the Gators coaching staff is hopeful that he'll be full-go by fall camp. Why is this such a big deal? Because Lagway isn't just another quarterback–he's the centerpiece of Billy Napier's plan to turn the Gators into SEC contenders again. If the Florida quarterback is fully healthy, the Gators could surprise people in 2025. But if the shoulder issues linger or Florida has to rely on a backup, it could be a long season in Gainesville. Florida's quarterback depth is still developing, and replacing someone with Lagway's upside would be nearly impossible. Here is everything ESPN's Harry Lyles Jr. wrote about the Florida Gators and why Lagway is the team's biggest X factor. What ESPN said about Florida's X-factor "X factor: Health of QB DJ Lagway" "Quarterback play at any level of football is more valuable than it has ever been, and a big reason expectations are growing in Gainesville is because of No. 2 for the Gators. Lagway had some shoulder soreness in the offseason that carried over from last year, so he was limited in spring practice and played only five snaps in the spring game. He resumed throwing in late April, and it seems Florida has been cautious in hopes of having him ready to go this fall for a healthy season." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida football DT Caleb Banks speaks at 2025 SEC Media Days
The Florida Gators finally got their turn at the podium at the 2025 SEC media days event held in Atlanta, and among those representing the Gators this summer was redshirt senior defensive tackle Caleb Banks, who answered the press' questions on Wednesday afternoon. The queries were focused mainly on his impression of the coaching staff, the team's chances at success this coming season, as well as the status of quarterback DJ Lagway — who also fielded questions from the press. Below is a look at an abridged transcription from Banks' moment in the spotlight at the 2025 SEC media days event, focusing on his responses most germane to the Orange and Blue. Can you tell us what kind of offseason you've had heading into this season here? "It's been a great offseason. I'm just getting better with my teammates and just developing my game in all types of ways. It's been great." What's the coaching message for this year? "Spot the ball." I know DJ was limited this summer, but just what have you seen from him and his progress and development? "DJ, he's a great player. DJ, he's developing every day as well, getting his body together. He's doing everything he can to help us and the team be productive." Describe playing for Coach Napier and what you tell folks about him "Coach, he's a great coach. He's one of the greatest coaches I've ever been with. When I was at Louisville, I didn't have much film, but when I transferred, he believed in me and I really appreciate that. He put me in the best spot to be productive, and I'm here now at SEC media days. So he's a great guy." You opted to come back for this season... could you share a little bit more about your reason behind that? "It wasn't just DJ Lagway, it was the whole entire team. I wanted to come back and play with my guys and be the first male in my family to graduate, first generation to graduate. I felt it was very important. And to come back get a national championship and of course have a higher draft stock for the NFL in the future." What kind of gives you optimism about this year's squad, that this year's Florida Gators is going to be better than last year? "We work hard every day. I watch those guys work every single day. I watch how hard they work, how much work they put in day in and day out, the extra time they put in. It's the little things as well. I feel like it's going to be a really great year for us." Was there a time last year — before he got put in as a starter — that you knew that DJ was going to be everything he was billed to be? "I used to watch his film in high school. He's a dude. Just the little things that he do, like to critique his game, I think he's a great player. Once he went in, we didn't have no type of doubt that he would be able to takeover and be able to help us win that game. I watch him in practice. I've been in the back a long time, practicing with him. I watch how — he's a good guy, a good player." You talked about improving your draft stock. What do you think you have to work on the most? "My run game. I think my run game will be the biggest thing for me this year. My pass rush. Honestly, everything. My pad level, I think I can improve in everything. There's always room for improvement. Just got to keep going." The team ended on a high note, on that winning streak. How do you kind of carry that momentum from last season into a new year? "Honestly, I think it's a mindset thing. I think if we have the right mindset going into the season this year and we have a great fall camp, we'll be able to go out and be successful this year." What's it like as a player to hear and see the headlines or the speculation about your coach's job status? "You know, we all believe in Coach Napier. We know he's a great guy, a great coach. And we believe in everything he's done for us. He puts us in a great position every single day with everything that we do. We love him." Florida's a program that has its share of rivalry games. Do you have a particular favorite game to play? "I'm looking forward to every single game, honestly. I don't have anyone picked out. I'm ready to play ball." What do you remember from the Texas A&M game last year? How much are you looking forward to going on the road this time to Kyle Field? "That was a great game. We had our times — they shot at us we shot at them. I feel this upcoming season, if we just be more disciplined with certain things as a defense, we can have a great year and a great game against them." What do you remember from last year's game against Georgia? And what is the team's mindset going into this year? "That was a great game. Georgia was a good game. We almost had them. I feel like we almost had them. "Honestly, like, we've just got to get them next time. Nothing else to say about that. We'll see them soon. Just gotta play our best game we can play." What's it like playing in front of that crowd as part of the Gators? "It's crazy. It's probably the craziest environment I've ever played in. I love our fans. I love the Florida Gators. I feel like the Swamp is just the best place to play at night and in the daytime. They bring it anytime. It's amazing." What role did the LSU game play in your late resurgence last year? What did that win mean for you guys moving forward? "It was a really big win for us. We wanted to be able to prove to everybody we can beat a top team. They kind of thought we couldn't. We had to prove to ourselves and everybody else that we can do it. Simple asthat." What's it feel like when you're winning and the third quarter is over and they play the song, how does that feel? "It's amazing. Every time I look up in the sky, I just thank God we're in the position we're in. If we'relosing or winning, I'm just here in a beautiful place around amazing people. It's amazing." Do you sing along with it or not? "I do all the time, all the time." A lot of great Gators have come through there. Any there any that have helped you or that you have gotten to know? "B(randon) Spikes, he's one of the coolest (indiscernible) I've run into. He loves the Florida Gators. He reminds me every day why I'm here and what I'm doing it for. Good guy." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
