GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Gators head coach Billy Napier met with the media Monday afternoon soon after the team’s fifth practice of preseason camp.

You can check out the press conference below:

Napier said this is a critical stretch for the Gators during camp as they dive deeper into position battles and developing newcomers who have an opportunity to contribute.

Meanwhile, the Gators will open the season ranked in the Coaches Poll for the first time since 2021. The poll, released Monday by USA Today, has the Gators opening the season ranked 17th.

Napier was asked if that sounded about right to him.

“I think our for our team, it’s important that we’re focused on our process and not necessarily others’ opinion,” Napier said. “I think if we connect our confidence to others’ opinions of our self and our team, then we’ll not end up being the best that we can be. We have to be work each day. If we can keep stacking days and focus on today, then that turns into a good week, turns into a good month. You look up, maybe you have a good season. Maybe we’re better than that. Maybe we’re not. You know, obviously we don’t live in that world. You guys do, but certainly it’s good to get a little attention, but we know it doesn’t matter.”

Napier took a question about quarterback DJ Lagway’s progress. Lagway threw in practice on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium after starting camp hobbled by a calf strain.

He is optimistic Lagway is on his way toward a full return.

“I think it was good for you guys to see him,” Napier said of Saturday’s open practice to the media. “I think you guys are probably a little more relieved than anybody else. We’ve been watching the guy work all summer. You know, obviously, had a little bit of a setback. But I think he’s on the right track, and really threw in public the other day, and everybody’s all excited about that, but the guy’s been working well all summer.

“Hopefully, he’ll be able to do more and more as we go here day to day.”