Steve Spurrier became a Florida Gators’ legend playing quarterback and later coaching many of the best in school history.
The 77-year-old said he’s never worked with a quarterback quite like Anthony Richardson.
Richardson might not end up with a Heisman Trophy win or statue outside the Swamp like Spurrier, but the Head Ball Coach does not put anything past him, either.
“He’s got all the potential,” Spurrier told The Orlando Sentinel.
Richardson, 20, boasts a rare combination of size (6-4, 237), arm strength and running ability.
The key, Spurrier said, will be how he develops as a leader. Richardson has started only one game, a 34-7 loss to Georgia during which he committed 3 turnovers and eventually left with a concussion.
“His leadership ability hopefully will kick in,” Spurrier said. “You can’t be a leader when you’re not a starter, and he never was much of a starter last year. He really hasn’t had that complete opportunity: ‘Hey, I’m the quarterback. Come on, guys, let’s go beat these guys we’re playing this week.’
“Hopefully with that attitude players will follow him and he’ll have a chance to be that leader that you must have.”
Spurrier said Richardson also must have production at receiver.
Redshirt senior Justin Shorter’s 41 receptions for 550 yards and 3 scores are highs among the returning group of pass-catchers. Xzavier Henderson, a former top-75 recruit, has 3 scores in two seasons. Slot receiver Trent Whittemore, like Richardson a former Gainesville high school star, has shown a propensity for injury.
“They’re going to come forward,” Spurrier said. “We have a lot of unknown players on this team right now. But as the season progresses, we’ll get to know him better.”
All eyes will be on Richardson, who is generating first-round NFL Draft buzz and wowed onlookers with an effortless throw of around 75 yards on June 24 during the Manning Passing Academy.
“Anthony Richardson has the chance to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country this year,” Spurrier said. “He’s excellent passer, runner, tall, has size.”
Spurrier did caution first-year coach Billy Napier on relying too much on Richardson’s explosive and unique running ability. Last season, he rushed for scores of 80 and 73 yards.
“I wouldn’t run Anthony 15 times a game,” Spurrier said. “Maybe seven, eight, somewhere in that neighborhood, as a little bit change of pace. And of course, teach them how to run and get down and slide and don’t take the big hits.”
Gators find their voice
ESPN Radio play-by-play announcer Sean Kelley will replace Mick Hubert as the “Voice of the Gators,” the school announced.
Kelly has broadcasted college athletics, the NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball during a wide-ranging career.
The St. Louis native spent July 4 in Boston’s Fenway Park for the Red Sox-Tampa Bay Rays game. On June 25, he called Houston’s combined no-hitter at Yankee Stadium .
Kelly, 50, now takes over for Hubert, who retired in May after 33 years (1989-2022) after replacing David Steele (1982-89). Steele stepped in for Otis Boggs, who in 1940 became the first radio play-by-play man for Gators athletics.
The school said Kelley will primarily work Gators football and men’s basketball games, but will engage with fans with social media and podcasts
Kelley spent the past three years as ESPN Radio’s lead play-by-play voice on national college football, but said he could not pass up the chance to come to Gainesville.
”Florida is one of the elite of the elites with regard to intercollegiate athletics,’’ he said. “That makes it not only a destination job for anyone in our business, it makes it a destination job for those who have reached certain heights in our business.”
