LAS VEGAS – Billy Napier’s reputation as a recruiter helped him get the Florida football job. If he wants the Gators to compete in Year 2 of his tenure, he’ll have to recruit a starting quarterback out of the transfer portal.

Jack Miller’s debut was the most intriguing Florida storyline of the Las Vegas Bowl. With Anthony Richardson off to the NFL, the Gators will have a new QB1 in 2023. Based on what happened Saturday in Las Vegas, the odds-on favorite to start next season in Utah is “Some Transfer.”

Miller was a streaky 13-of-22 for 180 yards and no turnovers, but no touchdowns. It was the quarterback’s Florida debut and first college start after dealing with an injury and being the 3rd-string QB for the second half of the season. Napier saw positives from the performance.

“I think Jack showed some grit today,” Napier told reporters after the game. “You think about what he was asked to do, obviously had the thumb injury at the end of training camp to get back 4 or 5 weeks ago, really the first time to start and just reps to get ready for this game.”

Napier pointed out Miller had not even been taking second-team reps during the season, as he was behind the recently-dismissed Jalen Kitna on the depth chart after returning from the thumb injury.

“What I think about is maybe things we can do as a staff to maybe help him, that players around him play better, he can play better but more importantly we can coach better, it’s a tough dynamic and one that he took on,” Napier said of Miller. “His approach, his work ethic, his attitudes towards the opportunity you know I think some good and bad but a lot of grit there, respect the approach that he took.”

Ricky Pearsall, Florida’s leading wide receiver, saw poise and confidence from Miller.

“He went out there, and I think he had poise, you know, and he was really comfortable and confident from what he was doing,” Pearsall told media members. “But like coach said, it was his first start, you know, so I think he did really well. Proud of him.”

As Pearsall points out, Miller never looked rattled, which was a big problem for Richardson during the season. Miller made some solid throws and showed he could be a willing runner. Unfortunately for Florida, Miller lacked the “it” factor as a playmaker.

For a 3rd-stringer against a top-15 team, it could have been worse than Saturday. When a school has statues of 3 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks outside the stadium – one of the best recruiting selling points in all of college football – QB1 should have the “it” factor, which isn’t something coaches develop in practice. The Gators’ need for a new starting quarterback out of the portal wasn’t changed by the Las Vegas Bowl.

Miller was Napier’s first QB acquisition from the portal. At the time, it looked like a solid move for depth purposes. It was known that Richardson would be QB1 in 2022, and the Gators were looking for quality depth. Miller checked all the “depth piece” boxes as a former 4-star prospect signed by a top program built on great QB play, Ohio State.

This cycle, though, Napier can’t settle for another Miller. In a loaded QB portal class with multiple starters, Napier needs to flex his recruiting muscle and secure a commitment from a quarterback ready to take the first snap in Salt Lake City next season.

With Miller’s knowledge of the system, he likely won’t be nudged to go elsewhere. If Florida signs another quarterback, it would make sense for him to stick around for spring practice and see where he stands on the depth chart after the Orange and Blue game.

The Florida fanbase expects a fun-to-watch offense led by the quarterback. Landing 5-star quarterbacks out of high school provides a great foundation for Florida’s rebuild. UF QB pledge Jaden Rashada is rated 5-stars and the 247Sports Composite’s No. 6 quarterback of the 2023 class. With DJ Lagway, a 5-star QB in the 2024 class, also pledged, Florida’s long-term outlook at the position is bright.

It’s not unheard of for true freshmen to come in and turn teams into contenders, but Napier would be facing long odds for 2023 success if he doesn’t sign a transfer quarterback with starting experience.