Billy Napier, Several Gators Making Return to Louisiana for Florida vs. LSU

Florida's trip to Baton Rouge marks the first time Billy Napier and a plethora of Gators players and staffers return to Louisiana.

Photo: Florida head coach Billy Napier; Credit: Alex Shepherd

Nearly two years since he led the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns to a 12-1 record and capped his time in Lafayette off with a Sun Belt Conference championship, Billy Napier this weekend makes his return to the state he spent four years in his first stop as a head coach. 

Although he'll be in Baton Rouge facing No. 19 LSU this time around, now in charge of Florida, the upcoming homecoming for Napier and his family caused him to reflect on his time leading the Ragin' Cajun program. 

“Our time in Louisiana was fantastic. Really appreciative of the people in Acadiana and Lafayette for the first-class experience for not only myself, but our family as well," Napier said on Wednesday. "My wife, Ali, and our kids really enjoyed our time there."

He's not the only one making a return to the state he once called home. 

Of the 118 players listed on Florida's roster, six are Louisiana natives. Additionally, two of Florida's non-Louisiana natives are transfers from Louisiana-based programs. 

Two of those natives are running backs Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson. A New Orleans native, Johnson said he grew up an LSU fan and will have around 20 friends and family members attending the game.

"I was absolutely an LSU fan, but right now I'm against them in any kind of way," Johnson said. "Growing up, I used to love LSU. I loved watching Ja'Marr Chase, Joe Burrow and them. I loved watching them go to the national championship and win it all."

That fandom ended, though, when he enrolled at Louisiana in 2021. Although initially recruited by the Tigers, he explained the staff at the time didn't offer him a scholarship.

"The previous coaches that was at LSU, they'd come visit me at the school and be like 'I'm the best back in the state,' but no offer, you know what I'm saying? It's not making sense. I kind of took that personal," Johnson shared.

Meanwhile, Etienne grew up less than two and a half hours from Baton Rouge in Jennings, La. He said playing in Death Valley will be a dream come true.

“I mean I’ve always wanted a chance to play in that stadium, now I get to, now I get a chance," Etienne said. "Definitely it’s a dream come true now, just being able to play in Death Valley. I mean I’m on an opposing team and I hope we get the victory, but it will still be great to play in that stadium.”

On the defensive side of the ball, Cam'Ron Jackson missed last week's game with an injury but recovered in time to play in front of nearly 40 friends and family members on Saturday night. 

“It means a lot to me, being from Louisiana, being able to go play in Death Valley," Jackson said. "It’s my first time playing there and just being able to go perform in front of my family.” 

"We’ve got some kids from Louisiana, and I think anytime you go back to your home state there’s an element of that, that’s significant. I know our guys will be excited," Napier said.

Other players on Florida's roster who've spent time in Louisiana are running back Cam Carroll, a transfer from Tulane; offensive lineman Caden Jones, a New Orleans native; offensive lineman Kamryn Waites, a Louisiana transfer; tight end Scott Isacks, a New Orleans native and defensive lineman Keenan Landry, a Jennings native. 

The Louisiana reunion even extends to Napier's staff. Of Florida's 10 on-field coaches, seven have coached in the state in some capacity. Three of those seven — Corey Raymond, Billy Gonzales and Russ Callaway — spent time at LSU. 

Prior to joining Napier's staff, Raymond spent 13 years at LSU over the course of two tenures, the second lasting from 2012-2021.

"I'm sure he's fired up, just the competitor that he is," defensive back Devin Moore commented about Raymond's return. "So it will be very important for us to lock in and kind of every rep in practice just think of him and play for him."

A win in Death Valley would be icing on the cake for the Louisianians returning to the state. That being said, it won't come easy. The Gators are near-two-touchdown underdogs to the Tigers.

Additionally, Florida hasn't won in Tiger Stadium since 2016 and has struggled on the road in Napier's first two seasons. Meanwhile, LSU hasn't lost at home in over a year and hasn't lost a night game at home since the 2021 season.

Despite these factors, Napier noted the great opportunity Florida has this week. A win for Florida would clinch bowl eligibility and snap a four-game losing streak in the rivalry.

"We play in the SEC," Napier said. "Every week presents a great opportunity. There’s always some challenges to each opponent that we play. This is going to be a great opportunity for our team and some of the players on our team.”

Florida and LSU kickoff from Death Valley on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET with television coverage on the SEC Network. 

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