Gators to Hire Ron Roberts as LB Coach, Co-Defensive Coordinator ?

[instaGATOR]

Billy's choice of Miller DID NOT work out, while Brown was left on the bench.

Billy's next choice of Mertz HAS NOT worked out, while Brown was still left on the bench.

Fr Projects don't improve when they are mostly left on the side to rot!
(and it's showing Billy's true ability to both judge and to coach up QB's, recruits or xfers)

Miller/Mertz suck imoho, so leaving Brown to rot for a 2nd season is just plain STUPID from my viewpoint. If none of those 3 are really good QB's, then working with and spending time training the young guy would be smarter than continuing to waste time with the xfers...

If Max is really that bad/dumb/incompetent, then pull his damn wasted ship and bring in 2-3 more of Nappy's infamous QB xfers. With enough numbers, maybe he can just get lucky, instead of having to have a solid eval of their talent levels in his offensive system.... 😠

 

[Gator Fever]

Billy's choice of Miller DID NOT work out, while Brown was left on the bench.

Billy's next choice of Mertz HAS NOT worked out, while Brown was still left on the bench.

Fr Projects don't improve when they are mostly left on the side to rot!
(and it's showing Billy's true ability to both judge and to coach up QB's, recruits or xfers)

Miller/Mertz suck imoho, so leaving Brown to rot for a 2nd season is just plain STUPID from my viewpoint. If none of those 3 are really good QB's, then working with and spending time training the young guy would be smarter than continuing to waste time with the xfers...

If Max is really that bad/dumb/incompetent, then pull his damn wasted ship and bring in 2-3 more of Nappy's infamous QB xfers. With enough numbers, maybe he can just get lucky, instead of having to have a solid eval of their talent levels in his offensive system.... 😠

Don't stress too much as I think Brown may get some game time later in the season if we have the season I think we might have.

 

[ocalaman]

Billy's choice of Miller DID NOT work out, while Brown was left on the bench.

Billy's next choice of Mertz HAS NOT worked out, while Brown was still left on the bench.

Fr Projects don't improve when they are mostly left on the side to rot!
(and it's showing Billy's true ability to both judge and to coach up QB's, recruits or xfers)

Miller/Mertz suck imoho, so leaving Brown to rot for a 2nd season is just plain STUPID from my viewpoint. If none of those 3 are really good QB's, then working with and spending time training the young guy would be smarter than continuing to waste time with the xfers...

If Max is really that bad/dumb/incompetent, then pull his damn wasted ship and bring in 2-3 more of Nappy's infamous QB xfers. With enough numbers, maybe he can just get lucky, instead of having to have a solid eval of their talent levels in his offensive system.... 😠

On the other hand, if Max was that good why hasn't he beaten out these terrible QB's?

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Don't stress too much as I think Brown may get some game time later in the season if we have the season I think we might have.

Fever,

If Simmons is admitted for Summer B as Paco suggests,
as disinterested in Max Brown as CBN seems to be, even though Simmons knows Absolutely Nothing about CBN's offense,
I'm betting that CBN will give Simmons, not Brown, any Reps that become available.

Only reason CBN might not do that, is because he doesn't want to throw Simmons to the wolves & crush his spirits by playing him at QB1 in a long, losing season & forcing an Underage True Fr to take all the heat.

CBN's ego seems to be caught up with his two Xfer QBs;
he can't admit that his assessments were way wrong & they don't have what it takes to be a QB1 in the SEC & win games.

Reclassification -
I'm not as up to speed in this area as you & Paco seem to be.

If Simmons graduates from an accredited HS, has good enough scores on College Entrance Exams (SATs when I took them), & UF admits him, why would he need to reclassify ?

Aren't we confusing NCAA Regulations with Student Admission Requirements that are determined solely by UF ?

 

[Gator Fever]

Fever,

If Simmons is admitted for Summer B as Paco suggests,
as disinterested in Max Brown as CBN seems to be, even though Simmons knows Absolutely Nothing about CBN's offense,
I'm betting that CBN will give Simmons, not Brown, any Reps that become available.

Only reason CBN might not do that, is because he doesn't want to throw Simmons to the wolves & crush his spirits by playing him at QB1 in a long, losing season & forcing an Underage True Fr to take all the heat.

CBN's ego seems to be caught up with his two Xfer QBs;
he can't admit that his assessments were way wrong & they don't have what it takes to be a QB1 in the SEC & win games.

Reclassification -
I'm not as up to speed in this area as you & Paco seem to be.

If Simmons graduates from an accredited HS, has good enough scores on College Entrance Exams (SATs when I took them), & UF admits him, why would he need to reclassify ?

Aren't we confusing NCAA Regulations with Student Admission Requirements that are determined solely by UF ?

He is good to come here if he wants to. I think the chance Napier would throw Simmons out there without a Spring under his belt is almost zero.

 

[PacoGator19]

Paco,

See your point about getting them on Campus ASAP.

If I understand your comments correctly, Simmons, though physically younger (per DOB) would end up a year ahead of Lagway at UF.

Yes.

 

[Jeff from Jax]

He is good to come here if he wants to. I think the chance Napier would throw Simmons out there without a Spring under his belt is almost zero.

Fever,

Hope your right; would destroy his confidence.

 

[gatordad3]

May as well give him enough snaps to where he won't lose his redshirt season. Can't get any worse at the QB position.

 

[Gator Fever]

May as well give him enough snaps to where he won't lose his redshirt season. Can't get any worse at the QB position.

My guess is Miller would get most all the garbage time snaps in our 2 joke games. I doubt Brown even gets hardly any except a token appearance unless Mertz has been yanked by the Charlotte game.

 

[gatordad3]

My guess is Miller would get most all the garbage time snaps in our 2 joke games. I doubt Brown even gets hardly any except a token appearance unless Mertz has been yanked by the Charlotte game.

I was thinking more of Simmons if he reclassified.

 

[Gator Fever]

I was thinking more of Simmons if he reclassified.

I just don't see Napier doing that. It will be nice if he gets a jump on 2024 by being here for camp and the season though.

 

[instaGATOR]

On the other hand, if Max was that good why hasn't he beaten out these terrible QB's?

Maybe Ocala, for the same reason Trask never beat out those other guys....
(think about it)

 

[instaGATOR]

He is good to come here if he wants to. I think the chance Napier would throw Simmons out there without a Spring under his belt is almost zero.

Then why the heck would you bring in a too-young kid 2 years early????

 

[instaGATOR]

While I'm now hoping for a Fall Practice Epiphany happening for the imo dumb-as-a-rock QB coaching, with the result being Brown ending up as the 23 starter... (heavy sigh.......)

If the Mertz/Miller QB-pp combo ends up getting the Gators even a 7-5 winning season, I'll be shocked to my toes.... 😯

 

[EvilWayz]

Home field gives you a better chance to pull off an upset than a neutral field.

Have we fallen this far?

If you can't get up for Florida Georgia maybe you shouldn't be an SEC athlete.

 

[Gator Fever]

Have we fallen this far?

If you can't get up for Florida Georgia maybe you shouldn't be an SEC athlete.

It is crazy what Georgia has done. Its hard to see them not winning the championship again if their new QB is at least competent with the roster they have. Even when Spurrier owned Georgia their recruiting was about as good as ours. With Kirby there and their big boosters doing what they are doing now its there with Bama except even better the last few years going by how many of their players are living up to their recruit rankings. Hopefully in 2024 we can start turning things around.

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Billy's choice of Miller DID NOT work out, while Brown was left on the bench.

Agree,

All you had to do was watch the L V Bowl to see that.
Game was over by the 3rd QTR. Miller never got any traction as QB1.
Miller got every snap at QB1. Was the scoring streak so important that CBN refused to give Brown some reps & evaluate him in a game situation ? Brown could NOT have been worse than Miller.

Billy's next choice of Mertz HAS NOT worked out, while Brown was still left on the bench.

Glass 1/4 full POV ?
Since we have yet to see Mertz in a Gator game with a full uninjured OL I'm not sure that Mertz has not worked out.

To preserve my sanity about the upcoming season, I MUST retain SOME optimism about Mertz.

Mertz is not a passer of the caliber of John Reaves or Danny Wuerffel; & a comparison to Tim Tebow is neither possible nor desirable.
He is what he is & the 2023 season will play out as it does.

Fr Projects don't improve when they are mostly left on the side to rot!
(and it's showing Billy's true ability to both judge and to coach up QB's, recruits or xfers)

CBN, looks to be an excellent recruiter - but no one bats 1.000.

IMO, his ego is too caught up in his Xfer QBs to acknowledge their deficiencies & move on.

Realize that is easier said than done, but my frustrations
have overloaded my brain & stupid thoughts come pouring out of my mouth.

CBN smart enough & professional enough to keep his thoughts private.

Morale victories are worthless,
BUT
While our record - against this incredibly tough schedule - may not show it; I am convinced out team will be much improved & 2024 will see us on our way.

 

[Gator Fever]

Agree,

All you had to do was watch the L V Bowl to see that.
Game was over by the 3rd QTR. Miller never got any traction as QB1.
Miller got every snap at QB1. Was the scoring streak so important that CBN refused to give Brown some reps & evaluate him in a game situation ? Brown could NOT have been worse than Miller.

Glass 1/4 full POV ?
Since we have yet to see Mertz in a Gator game with a full uninjured OL I'm not sure that Mertz has not worked out.

To preserve my sanity about the upcoming season, I MUST retain SOME optimism about Mertz.

Mertz is not a passer of the caliber of John Reaves or Danny Wuerffel; & a comparison to Tim Tebow is neither possible nor desirable.
He is what he is & the 2023 season will play out as it does.

CBN, looks to be an excellent recruiter - but no one bats 1.000.

IMO, his ego is too caught up in his Xfer QBs to acknowledge their deficiencies & move on.

Realize that is easier said than done, but my frustrations
have overloaded my brain & stupid thoughts come pouring out of my mouth.

CBN smart enough & professional enough to keep his thoughts private.

Morale victories are worthless,
BUT
While our record - against this incredibly tough schedule - may not show it; I am convinced out team will be much improved & 2024 will see us on our way.

Wait until you see the 2024 9 SEC game no division schedule and Miami will probably be decent starting that season.

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Wait until you see the 2024 9 SEC game no division schedule and Miami will probably be dent starting that season.

Fever,

Thank You So Much for Reminding Me !

I was trying to avoid thinking about that.

Team improves; schedule get tougher.

It's Great to be a Florida Gator !

LOL

 

[Jeff from Jax]

The sooner you can get big time prospects on campus the better IMO. Not sure how that is anything but a positive.

Paco,

I'm not the only one who agrees with your thoughts - CBN's thoughts -

"...Three scholarship openings now remain. Walk-on wide receiver Kahleil Jackson is in contention for one of them, per Napier, and

class of 2025 UF quarterback commit Austin Simmons is widely believed to have a spot reserved in the event of reclassification.

"I think there are some limitations relative to what we can say publicly about that," Napier said about Florida's plan to add a fourth scholarship quarterback this offseason — such rules apply to discussing prospective student-athletes, like Simmons, before enrollment, "but still intend to do that.”

https://www.si.com/college/florida/...ength-transfer-portal-talking-about-61-points

Austin Simmons on Hudl

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Florida football gets On3 RPM picks for 4-star Peach State TE/ATH​

FWIW

https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/2023/05/25/florida-football-recruiting-amir-jackson-rpm-pick/

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Gators getting June 9th OV from current Miami commit​

https://hailfloridahail.com/2023/05...uiting-gators-chance-robinson-official-visit/

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Gators in top six for 4-star DL​

Daniel “DD” Holmes, one of the top players coming out of D.C. and a well-respected EDGE across the industry.

Other schools that made the cut were FSU, Michigan, Maryland, South Carolina, and Rutgers.

https://hailfloridahail.com/2023/05/24/florida-football-recruiting-gators-top-six-dd-holmes/

 

[ocalaman]

Gators announce the signing of JUCO RB Jakobi Jackson

Florida has signed a 5th running back to the roster

247sports.com

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Best 2023 SEC Offensive Lines​

https://mikefarrellsports.com/3-poi...lines-impact-pac-12-freshmen-hafley-vs-babers

 

[Gator Fever]

Sounds like we are signing some junior college RB. Kind of surprised we would use that scholarship on another RB. Not sure how good he is though. He said Colorado State had offered him before us.

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Sounds like we are signing some junior college RB. Kind of surprised we would use that scholarship on another RB. Not sure how good he is though. He said Colorado State had offered him before us.

Fever,

With our QB situation, we will definitely be a run heavy offense.

RBs get tired & get hurt; we need to have enough on hand to deal with that.

Also, I'm hoping some of them can catch the ball coming out of the backfield.

Dual-Threat RBs
or
How to use a RB in the Passing game
https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2018/...cks-passing-game-saquon-barkley-david-johnson​

"...expanded utilization of running backs in the passing game—and that’s a good plan, as passing is almost always more efficient than running—but it was clear Sunday that teams aren’t yet truly maximizing the skill sets of these types of dual-threat running backs.

Football uses analytics - today I learned a new stat.

Average depth of target (aDOT)
meaning - where is the receiver when he catches the ball ?

A RB used as an escape valve typically has an negative aDOT - meaning he caught the ball behind the line of scrimmage.

There’s certainly a time, place, and utility for short passes, but that’s an awful lot of dinking-and-dunking.

When you get stuck into a rut like that, It feels like every pass a RB catches is going to require a Herculean effort just to get back to the line of scrimmage.

Dual-Purpose RBs do more damage when you mix up where they line up and which routes they runs. That makes it exponentially harder on opponents to match up with your offense, particularly in deciding which players to put on the field.

We have hurry up offenses, which hope to put the Defense in a bind by forcing them to make last minute player substitutions.

A hurry up offense with dual purpose RBs is a nightmare.

Do you send a linebacker out to help stop the run, or do you counter with a corner or safety? It puts coaches in a bind, and that’s what makes a dual purpose RB so much more valuable than your garden-variety back.

An NFL example see tweet below -

"... The Patriots lined up James White in the backfield and Rex Burkhead wide. They motioned White to the slot who was followed by a LB and motioned Burkhead into the backfield who was followed by a CB. Suddenly you have a CB defending the run in the box and a LB covering the slot."
— Zoltán Buday (@PFF_Zoltan) September 10, 2018

 

[Gator Fever]

Coach Napier gave this guy that does the post game videos breaking plays down an interview. The guy does a good job breaking the key plays down . Glad to see Napier doing this.

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Gators OT Target Michael Uini Releases Top 6, Includes Florida​

An OT to CBN's specifications !

Right now, we are just a "Hat on the Table"

We are starting to wins some of the "Cap Fights"; need to win more & we will.

https://www.si.com/college/florida/...ecruiting-offensive-tackle-michael-uini-top-6

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Florida Gators QB commit Austin Simmons sees 'more pros than cons' to reclassifying to 2023​

Paco may be right - Simmons & CBN wouldn't issue their Teasers otherwise.
https://www.on3.com/teams/florida-g...more-pros-than-cons-to-reclassifying-to-2023/

Old, but interesting -

Austin Simmons leaves Pahokee, enrolls at Moore Haven​

Simmons has completed all of his high school credits and has a 5.34 GPA between both high school and college courses he's taken. This means that he could reclassify as a 2024 or even a 2023 in the summer.

Simmons’ dad, David, has already relocated to the Moore Haven area to take a position as the team’s offensive coordinator. The Terriers most recently went 8-4, reaching region semifinals before running into Class 1S state champion First Baptist Academy.

In 2022, Simmons threw for 3,242 passing yards and 24 touchdowns and averaged 6.5 rushing yards per carry. He’s the only quarterback in Pahokee history to record over 3,000 yards.

Completing 68 percent of throws (163-of-242), Simmons tied − and broke − Pro Football Hall of Fame candidate Anquan Boldin’s record for the most passing yards in a season before the end of his sophomore year.

247Sports currently has Simmons ranked as the No. 4 quarterback in the nation for the Class of 2025.

https://search.brave.com/search?q=Austin+Simmons+reclassifying&source=desktop

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Opening line released for Florida vs Utah​

The opening line has come out for Florida vs Utah, and as expected, the Utes are legit favorites.

The Gators open as +9.5-point underdogs, which is right around where a lot of people expected the number to be.

Not sure how the Vegas boys calculate such things, but can't say I disagree.
Cameron Rising on track to make start of fall practice.

Not sure it affects the outcome of the game; but it might.
As SadGator pointed out last year - wet heat vs dry heat is important.

Great Salt Lake Water Level
http://greatsalt.uslakes.info/Level.asp


https://hailfloridahail.com/2023/05/25/florida-football-opening-line-florida-utah/

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Colorado reportedly could be headed to the Big 12 'soon'​

The Colorado to the Big 12 rumors are heating up again after the Pac-12's bad media rights news

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/colorado-reportedly-could-be-headed-to-the-big-12-soon

 

[Jeff from Jax]

ESPN: Georgia football has easiest 2023 schedule in SEC​

The Best Team & The easiest Schedule makes perfect sense.

Of course, we are part of their easy schedule.

https://247sports.com/college/georg...l-has-easiest-2023-schedule-in-sec-210737061/

College Football Power Index 2023​

see REM SOS Column

https://www.espn.com/college-football/fpi/_/view/resume/group/8/sort/resume.sosremainingrank/dir/asc

Does anyone else remember when we used to call Univ of Ky "The MILDCATS ?"

 

[Gator Fever]

Xavier Henderson just joined Emory Jones at Cincy...

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Xavier Henderson just joined Emory Jones at Cincy...

Fever,

Good that he found a new home & didn't get trapped in the portal.

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Massachusetts OL Liam Andrews Labels Florida As Top 8 Program​

Brookline (Mass.) Dexter School interior offensive line prospect Liam Andrews labels Florida Gators as a top-eight school in his recruitment.

6-5 used to be an OT; CBN wants his OTs 6-7 to 6-8; makes me wonder how QBs see over the top of their OL.

"... Standing at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, Andrews occupies spots in the trenches on both sides of the ball at Dexter School, showcasing versatility, athleticism and an aggressive play style needed to set the tone on either front at the next level.

He best projects to serve along the interior offensive line despite his standing on the outside in high school, given the limitations his frame holds relative to those who occupy the tackle position, especially in the SEC.

Ranked as the nation's No. 82 player and No. 4 iOL, according to 247 Sports, the four-star prospect would be a promising addition to the Gators' frontline if he chose UF."

https://www.si.com/college/florida/...offensive-lineman-liam-andrews-top-eight-2024

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Basically, on this & other board, we have trashed our QBs.

After the O&B Game, Miller & Mertz have been sliced, diced, roasted, & eviscerated.

After that, I & many other posters on this board stopped holding back & told you how we felt.

Read an article with a different slant on Mertz that offered some thoughts that made sense.

QB Graham Mertz / Redshirt Junior

https://www.gatorcountry.com/feature/five-potential-breakout-players-on-the-gators-offense-in-2023/

Hope he pans out; guess we'll see on Sept. 2 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Lucky for us Salt Lake City will be dry heat !
LOL

 

[Jeff from Jax]

They will have a year of separation more than likely. Simmons joins the team for this season and redshirts. Lagway joins the team next season and likely redshirts or if he’s so good he can start.

Paco,​

Your eyes & ears, as usual, sharper than mine !

Looks like you were right !

Hope that you can / will confirm or deny that titillating rumor.

Hope all this works out - also hope Fever is right about not throwing Simmons to the wolves without a Spring Practice !

Florida still planning to add 4th QB,​

BUT​

not through transfer portal​

Gators Online is reporting that

Simmons has begun going through the admissions process at UF

and is hopeful to move up to classes from 2025 to 2023.

That would put him on campus this fall and satisfy the fourth quarterback spot Billy Napier has talked about filling since the spring game.

Napier can’t speak too much on those moves since NCAA bylaws prohibit coaches from talking directly about an unsigned player, but he remains firm that Florida will have four quarterbacks on its roster this fall and the transfer portal is all but out of the question this late in the game.

https://gatorswire.usatoday.com/202...l-recruiting-austin-simmons-reclassification/

Billy Napier ‘absolutely’ plans to add fourth QB, but Florida Gators likely done in the portal​

https://www.on3.com/teams/florida-g...-to-add-qb-but-florida-gators-done-in-portal/

 

[instaGATOR]

Florida Gators QB commit Austin Simmons sees 'more pros than cons' to reclassifying to 2023​

Paco may be right - Simmons & CBN wouldn't issue their Teasers otherwise.
https://www.on3.com/teams/florida-g...more-pros-than-cons-to-reclassifying-to-2023/

Old, but interesting -

Austin Simmons leaves Pahokee, enrolls at Moore Haven​

Simmons has completed all of his high school credits and has a 5.34 GPA between both high school and college courses he's taken. This means that he could reclassify as a 2024 or even a 2023 in the summer.

Simmons’ dad, David, has already relocated to the Moore Haven area to take a position as the team’s offensive coordinator. The Terriers most recently went 8-4, reaching region semifinals before running into Class 1S state champion First Baptist Academy.

In 2022, Simmons threw for 3,242 passing yards and 24 touchdowns and averaged 6.5 rushing yards per carry. He’s the only quarterback in Pahokee history to record over 3,000 yards.

Completing 68 percent of throws (163-of-242), Simmons tied − and broke − Pro Football Hall of Fame candidate Anquan Boldin’s record for the most passing yards in a season before the end of his sophomore year.

247Sports currently has Simmons ranked as the No. 4 quarterback in the nation for the Class of 2025.

https://search.brave.com/search?q=Austin+Simmons+reclassifying&source=desktop

BTW, should I do a feveredbrain diss on the competition level at Pahoke, or now S-1 Moore Haven, FL -- He moved from little Independent Pahoke, to FL's lowest Surburban level with 29 schools. (Hawthorne is bigger)

Or point out that his opponents in the Highlights film, look like they are Jr High teams, or that he's throwing to mostly Wide Open receivers against small slow defenders? Naw, I'll just leave that kind of biased crap to him.... 🙄

QB-dt Austin Simmons 6-2.5 180 **** - Moore Haven, FL
School Classification - Dist. 7, 1-S
2022-23 Season Stats per Max Preps in 12 Games:
P - 163 of 242, 67.4% for 3,161 Yds, 24 TD's 9 Ints -- QBR 127.9
R - 30 for 92 yds, 3.1 ypc, 3 TD's, 2 LPF's

QB-dt Max Brown 6-2 190 *** - Tulsa, OK - District 3, 3-A
2020-21 Season Stats per Max Preps in 14 Games
P - 167 of 235, 71.1%, for 2,750 yds, 41 TD's, 4 Ints -- QBR 142.6
R - 173 for 1,343 yds, 7.1 ypc, 20 TD's, 0 LPF's

For an easier comparison:
AS-P - 163 of 242, 67.4%, for 3,161 Yds, 24 TD's 9 Ints -- QBR 127.9
MB-P - 167 of 235, 71.1%, for 2,750 yds, 41 TD's, 4 Ints -- QBR 142.6

AS-R --- 30 for 92 yds, 3.1 ypc, 3 TD's, 2 LPF's
MB-R - 173 for 1,343 yds, 7.1 ypc, 20 TD's, 0 LPF's

So if Napier/staff can't coach up Brown in his 2nd year enough to beat out Mertz/Miller, (that were already pre-trained elsewhere), why in the heck does anyone believe (going by their compared stats) that he/they can coach up a kid that should be playing his HS Jr season in 2023???

JMOHO of course, but Austin needs to stay at the HS level, grow and develop socially, mentally, and physically before stepping into SEC football at Woke-U....

 

[Jeff from Jax]

So if Napier/staff can't coach up Brown in his 2nd year enough to beat out Mertz/Miller, (that were already pre-trained elsewhere), why in the heck does anyone believe (going by their compared stats) that he/they can coach up a kid that should be playing his HS Jr season in 2023???
BTW, should I do a feveredbrain diss on the competition level at Pahoke, or now S-1 Moore Haven, FL -- He moved from little Independent Pahoke, to FL's lowest Surburban level with 29 schools. (Hawthorne is bigger)

JMOHO of course, but Austin needs to stay at the HS level, grow and develop socially, mentally, and physically before stepping into SEC football at Woke-U....

Insta,

Several thoughts here -

IMO, Mertz will be named QB1 & the glass is 1/4 full.

Since he has yet to play a full contact game behind a well coached, uninjured OL, for me; the jury is still out on Mertz.

After reading the last article I quoted, Mertz may be an acceptable game manager & be able to deliver a short to medium passing game.
Utah will tell us.

Paco, favors getting Simmons on campus ASAP -
BUT
Like you, I think that skipping his last 2 years of HS is asking too much of any young athlete.

Though all these "Teasers" make it seem likely,
No
Guarantee that ON3 has it right & Simmons is actually knocking on UF's door.

I'm not sure what Simmons is going to do about enrollment at UF or if his presence will actually help the Gators.

FWIW, I agree with you about Brown vs Simmons comparative statistics & level of competition.
BUT
Always an exception to the rule & hard to compare players that are widely separated & have no same year, common opponents.

UGA wins two Natties with a 25 yr old QB, they now have Carsen Beck, a RS JR (& Stetson Bennett's understudy for the last 2 years) stepping in as Dawgs QB1 & we're bringing in a 16 yr old HS QB to try to beat them.

I'm Shaking my head
&
Kirby Smart is Laughing his Ass Off !

Glad I'm not making this decision.