Blue 38, Orange 35
MODERATOR: We're joined by Aidan Warner, we'll cope it up for questions.
Q. First question is how did it feel to be out there today, you obviously had pretty good running backs on your team, how did it feel to get back out there?
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah it was great. Every day in the swamp, every day you get to compete in the swamp's a great day. You touched on the running backs, obviously having Jack Cheese and Jadan Baugh in the back field makes it a lot easier for me, but, yeah, it's great to be in the swamp. Great to compete in the swamp.
Q. And then Dallas. I mean, you weren't throwing the ball to him but you saw what he was doing.
AIDAN WARNER: I was watching. The kid was unreal. I wish he was on my team. The kid's a stud.
Q. Is that something where you knew -- I asked Harrison this but first day spring practice, he comes in and you're just like he's got it.
AIDAN WARNER: Oh, yeah, he's big, he's athletic. He's making plays people his size shouldn't be making and he's a freshman. So, I mean, he's competing with our DBs who are some of the best, I think, in the SEC, and he's super young, so his ceiling is, I mean, sky's the limit for him.
Q. How about Vernell?
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah, same thing for him, these young gays, they're different, to saw the least. These young guys, sky's the limit for their potential.
Q. You've seen DJ. He's different as well, but you guys, because he couldn't really throw, what kind of opportunities does that give you to develop. I know you kind of were thrown in the four last year. Did that give you a chance to develop and also Harrison, the repetitions and the offense he might need to have a key role if needed?
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah, definitely. DJ being out not throwing the ball gave me the opportunity to throw the ball every practice and take a lot of those first team reps, throwing with these guys like Vernell and J. Mike. It's an opportunity that I'm super grateful for because, like you said last year, it didn't go exactly how we wanted it to but this is an opportunity to get back on my feet and compete and get better.
Q. You didn't have a whole lot of time with the team, really, last year, right? Before you had to play?
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah, kind of got thrown in there, but that's the opportunity we ask for, that's the opportunity I want, so just every day, coming back and competing and trying to get better and step up when they need me.
Q. And what do you think of Harrison's experience, his ability, and what he's going to braining to the team?
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah, it's great... losing Graham, so, having another guy who hes been there and done that and have experience playing, here, it's great to have him in the room and somebody to learn from and somebody to take advice from, because, like I said, he's been there. He's played in the SEC. Another veteran in the room is super cool.
Q. What was it like playing at Yale?
AIDAN WARNER: Yell, I didn't get to take many snaps at Yale, but it was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I would say just being a student there was super cool, being in New Haven, Connecticut. Football, too. Playing Harvard, 50,000 people in the stadium, it's quite a cool experience.
Q. And then what brought you here to Florida and made you want to take on this opportunity?
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah, I entered the transfer protal and I got the opportunity to walk on here and growing up a Gator fan, I mean, it's the dream to be here to be in the swamp and compete in the Swamp like I got the opportunity to do today, so when Napier gave me that opportunity, it was hard to say no.
Q. What was your mindset when you got thrust into action against Georgia, the world's largest cocktail party.
AIDAN WARNER: Like I said, it's the moment you dream of. Be ready, you know? Play. Step up when they need you. The team's relying on you, so I thought I was ready to compete and do what I do.
Q. How much do you feel like you've improved over the course of the past year?
AIDAN WARNER: Oh, I mean, especially having this opportunity this spring, I think it's a world of difference. I'm super grateful to have that opportunity to get better. I think I can keep getting better as I go and keep getting these reps.
Q. What do you feel like you've improved the most with?
AIDAN WARNER: I'd say the systems is one of the biggest ones, just getting all the reps, really understanding the system and really trying to accomplish exactly what Napier is trying to accomplish with every play. And then Coach O' Hara has been really good with developing me as a quarterback, you know, making the right reads, making the right throws, being accurate, being decisive. That kind of stuff.
Q. We already know you can spin it.
AIDAN WARNER: I appreciate it.
Q. I'll ask one more, with regards to you playing the Georgia game, coming into the Georgia game and then starting at Texas, this offseason, those games didn't go the way you wanted, how much has that served as a motivator knowing that that was when you saw the field and now in case it happens again, you want to be ready to...
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah, 100%. When I step on the field now, I put myself in that situation. I put myself in Georgia, I put myself in Texas. If you want to play in the SEC, that's what you got to do. Now taking every practice, every scrimmage, every spring game as an opportunity get better and be ready for that moment when my name's called.
Q. You mentioned getting thrown into the fire, then you come out here today, you throw a couple touchdowns. You show the fans you can find success even though they were a little worried after those two games. How big is that for your confidence?
AIDAN WARNER: Yeah, it's huge, but at the end of the day, I know what I can do. I've gone out there and practiced and I think I've been able to step up, but definitely doing it with everyone watching is super cool for me. It's a dream of mine, so definitely huge.
MODERATOR: Appreciate it. Thank you.
Q. Are you technically still a walk-on?
AIDAN WARNER: Yes, technically still a walk-on, yes, sir.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports