College Football: 10 schools likely to bounce back in 2022

5. Florida Gators

2021 Record: (6-7, 2-6 SEC)

Key Departures: Stewart Reese (offensive guard), Emory Jones (quarterback), Daquan Newkirk (defensive tackle), Kaiir Elam (cornerback)

Returning Starters: Justin Shorter (wide receiver), Anthony Richardson (quarterback), Ventrell Miller (linebacker),

Key Newcomers: Kamyrn Waites (transfer, offensive tackle), O’Cyrus Torrence (transfer, interior offensive line), Chris McClellan (defensive tackle)

Why the Gators bounce back: New head coach Billy Napier brings an entirely different program philosophy than previous head coach Dan Mullen. Napier is from the “Saban/Swinney” coaching tree. He preaches that every game counts and that buying into the process is key to success.

Napier has not been a head coach at college football’s Power-5 level, but much of what he did at the University of Louisiana is very translatable. Napier showed an ability to stoke the alumni and the on-campus fanbase, something that is vital to coaching in Gainsville.

Players have bought into what Napier is selling, which is evident by how little attrition there has been this offseason. Mullen did not exactly leave the cupboard bare either.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson is the man at quarterback with Emory Jones in the portal, and the defense is two-deep at every position. Next year is not going to be a talent issue. They are not as talented as Georgia or Alabama, but they should finish 2nd in the SEC West.

It will be interesting to see how they deal with losing and how well they bounce back.