On J.Michael Sturdivant
BILLY NAPIER (Jan. 17, 2025): “J. Mike is 6-2 and a quarter, 204 [pounds], you know, he’s 1,500 yards in his career. 10.3 800-meter guy, you know, so elite speed. Very smart, very mature, great family, you know, kind of a draft or go play one more year guy, you know, a lot of good grades out there from the NFL people, and yeah, just think it worked out well. There was a relationship there with Graham, actually, where they were neighbors in high school, although he ended up moving to Dallas, when he was there, right across the river from Graham for a little bit. So, you know, that was the common connection. Coach (Margin) Hooks in Dallas, you know, obviously had trained him. So, yeah, just ended up working out. Fletcher, our Graduate Assistant Special Teams, was at UCLA there for a small amount of time, and had been on the grass with him, kind of validated the high level athleticism that we thought we saw. And then the OV, just a very impressive young man. So we’re hopeful that he’ll bring a big-play element, vertical threat, special teams value. Really good – I mean, I went back and I saw the Cal tape too, yeah. Just think the body of work there, paired him with quarterback, and I think kind of fit what we were looking for.”
On Dallas Wilson
BILLY NAPIER (Jan. 17, 2025): “Well first of all, unique dynamic there, in terms of how I ended up here, and I think that’s – we will continue to try to support him in a tough situation. You know, Dallas is 6-3, 200-plus. He’s got a big frame. He’s a good football player. He’s good in pads, you know, he’s a physical player. He’s tough. He can run after the catch and make the contested catch. He tracks it well down the field. You know, I think just a big physical presence, maybe that we, since (Justin) Shorter left, who’s been that guy? KJack’s (Kahleil Jackson) injury obviously was significant, but I think this guy’s a legit track speed element as well. So you know, five-star for a reason, you know, and once he arrives here, you know we’ll plug him in and get the work. And I think ultimately his role on the team is to be determined. I think we obviously wouldn’t have invested in him or recruited him if we didn’t think he could contribute. And I think it’s important for us in this cycle to go out and surround DJ with some weapons. I think we did that. I’m excited about all the receivers, all five of those guys I think are really good players.”
On Vernell Brown III
BILLY NAPIER (Dec. 4, 2025) “Yeah, no, I mean, some players are more ready than others. I learned a long time ago, like, you typically kind of wait and see. Some of the guys that you think aren’t ready, they end up being ready. The ones you thought would be maybe aren’t. If you pick one that’s mature enough, has the character, the football intelligence, has the skill set. I think his skill level is up there. VBIII impresses in the seven-on-seven setting, all these combines and camps, but he’s good with pads on. That’s what I like about him. He probably plays his best ball with helmets and shoulder pads on. He’s a tough kid. He’s just very mature as a competitor. Obviously his dad and his family, their pedigree is athletes. I think there’s something there. They’ve just been competing their whole life. He’ll have every opportunity. He’ll be here early. He’ll get his reps. We’re going to play the best player, so… Big punt returner, kick returner. He’s been dynamic in those regards. You think back to Tre Wilson. He played as a rookie, but he was not midyear. He had a hamstring issue that first summer. You’d like to build systems on offense and defense where some of the impact players can play early: running back, receiver, offensive tackle, corner, defensive line. I think your processes and your communicators are the ones where it maybe takes a little time: linebackers, safety, interior, O-line, quarterback, tight end. You would like to think your system can accommodate a unique skill player.
On the wide receiver room overall
BILLY NAPIER (Feb. 5, 2025): “I think we added some playmakers at receiver. I think obviously with DJ [Lagway] showing promise as a young player, I think that helped our ability to attract talent. The three rookies that reported early to go along with newbies, J.Michael out of the portal, I think that’s five pretty good players. You get Tre Wilson healthy and then these other guys grow up: Tank, TJ, Mizell, you get K Jack [Kahleil Jackson] back from injury, I think we’ve got a pretty good room there. I do think you’re spot on. We like to think of the receiver room as a basketball team to some degree. We need some point guards. We need some 2-3 guards. We need a power forward, a center. We went out and got some height and length. I think with Dallas, J.Michael, Muizz, we needed that element. I think we added that. And, obviously, VB3 [Vernell Brown III], Naeshaun, two of the best in the country. So, overall, one portal, proven production there and then obviously 6-2 1/4, 204 (pounds), 10.3 in the 100 meters, 1,500 yards receiving. So really been pleased with what we’ve seen and what we did so far.”
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