Florida redshirt freshman Jack Miller III will make his first profession begin through the Dec. 17 Las Vegas Bowl for a Gators squad with few remaining quarterbacks.
Miller will substitute Anthony Richardson in opposition to Oregon State (9-3). Richardson declared for the NFL Draft on Monday after beginning each recreation for the Gators (6-6).
Backup Jalen Kitna’s arrest final week on little one pornography prices and subsequent dismissal left Florida with out a participant who had thrown a cross this season.
“It’s a sad, tragic event for all the people involved here,” coach Billy Napier mentioned of Kitna on Thursday after their first bowl apply.
Napier mentioned he was unaware of the investigation till the morning of Kitna’s Nov. 30 arrest.
“Jalen is going to have to move forward,” Napier mentioned.
Miller, a switch from Ohio State in December, will step in regardless of not enjoying in 2022. He broke his thumb in August and was sluggish to get well. Miller was scheduled to return in late September, however docs didn’t clear him till a number of weeks in the past.
“He’s been able to take reps, and certainly this week in particular he’s been able to take a bunch of reps,” Napier mentioned.
Walk-on quarterback Kyle Engel and first-year sign caller Max Brown will again up Miller, 4-star prospect at Chaparral High in Scottsdale, Ariz., and the nation’s Thirteenth-ranked pro-style quarterback within the 2020 class.
Napier signed Miller final December due to the uncertainty surrounding 2021 starter Emory Jones and the prospect Richardson would depart after the 2022 season.
While Richardson was at occasions erratic, he completed the season accounting for 26 touchdowns (17 passing, 9 dashing) and three,203 complete yards (2,549 passing, 654 dashing). The 20-year-old, nevertheless, accomplished simply 53.8% of his passes and was at occasions tentative working the ball.
Napier felt Richardson matured throughout their one season collectively.
“As a person, comfort with the role, the leadership aspect, and certainly made a lot of progress when it comes to football intelligence and defensive structure, protections,” Napier mentioned. “The [NFL] suggestions was actually optimistic about perhaps the place he’s projected. Those are actually powerful selections on the participant, the household, clearly all concerned.
“We tried to get Anthony as much information as possible. He was an absolute pro.”
Richardson’s resolution provides Miller an opportunity to make an impression heading into the offseason.
The Gators’ quarterback room is certain to vary dramatically.
Napier is more likely to signal somebody from the switch portal. Meanwhile, California excessive schooler Jaden Rashada headlines the 2023 class because the nation’s No. 7 quarterback prospect, in keeping with 247Sports. His committment can turn out to be official Dec. 21 through the early signing interval. On Thursday, the Gators additionally acquired a non-binding verbal dedication of Texas excessive schooler Derek “DJ” Lagway, a dual-threat quarterback ranked No. 4 at his place and No. 24 total within the 2024 class. He can’t signal till subsequent yr.
Miller dedicated to Ohio State, the place he appeared throughout 5 video games in 2021 because the backup to Heisman finalist C.J. Stroud. Miller accomplished 7-of-14 passes for 101 yards and rushed 7 occasions for 22 yards and a landing.
The 6-foot-3, 211-pound Miller earned Napier’s reward in March. The first-year coach referred to as Miller’s signing “a good decision.” notably in gentle of Jones’ sudden departure through the first week of spring practices.
Miller additionally impressed teammates in spring drills.
Redshirt senior offensive lineman Richard Gouraige mentioned in March that Miller and veteran receiver Justin Shorter labored collectively continuously after practices.
“He’s a dog,” Gouraige mentioned of Miller. “I really like his work ethic. I really like what I see from Jack Miller. Even although he’s a younger participant, he’s able to play.
“If he gets a shot, I know he’ll do great things.”
During his solely public efficiency with the Gators, Miller struggled through the April 14 spring recreation. He completed 13 of 23 for 123 yards and an interception whereas dealing with the first-team protection behind a struggling second-team offensive line and throwing to inexperienced receivers.
Napier would reward Miller’s enchancment early in preseason practices previous to his thumb damage late within the second week of camp.
Miller has not throw a cross in recreation competitors since going 2 of three for 35 yards throughout Ohio State’s 54-7 win Oct. 23, 2021, at Indiana. He and the Gators face surging Oregon State, ranked Thirteenth of 131 groups nationally in passing effectivity protection (113.37) and tied for eighth in passing touchdowns allowed (11) with Georgia and Boise State.
But the Gators additionally shall be in higher form at receiver after 5 sat out a Nov. 25 loss at Florida State.
Shorter, who had 29 catches for 577 yards and a couple of scores, determined to skip the bowl recreation to prepare for subsequent month’s Senior Bowl. The redshirt senior missed 3 of 4 video games to finish the season with a hamstring damage.
Otherwise, main pass-catcher Xzavier Henderson returns after lacking the ultimate two video games. Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman is also again after sitting out in opposition to FSU whereas Ja’Quavion Fraziars returns after he injured a shoulder throughout a leaping landing catch Nov. 5 at Texas A&M.
“That group is a lot healthier than the last time we played,” Napier mentioned. “It’s good to see those guys back and a smile on their face, moving around and participating.”
Etienne, James honored
Freshman tailback Trevor Etienne was named to the All-SEC Freshman workforce after he exploded onto the scene as one in all Florida’s prime playmakers.
Linebacker Shemar James joined him following a strong first faculty season.
Etienne rushed for 705 yards and averaged a team-leading 6.41 yards per carry (seventh, SEC) whereas splitting time with sophomore Montrell Johnson. Etienne’s 45-yard landing run at FSU tied the rating at 38 throughout a 45-38 loss and highlighted a career-high 129 dashing yards.
A Louisiana native and brother to Travis Etienne, a Jacksonville Jaguars starter, Trevor recorded 21 runs of no less than 10 yards which is second to Johnson’s 25.
James recorded 40 tackles, together with 2 sacks, had 3 quarterback hurries and a compelled fumble.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Edgar Thompson at [email protected] or observe him on Twitter at @osgators.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com