during the Gators' game against the LSU Tigers on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Craig Haas
Forida
2024 Results: 8-5, 4-4(SEC)
2025 Projection: 9-3, 5-3(SEC)
Overview:
After week 3 last season, it looked as if the Billy Napier era at Florida was going to end before it could really get started. Embarrassing home losses to Miami and Texas A&M rightfully had his seat blazing as the Gators looked like a team that didn’t lack talent, but more so the edge needed to win.
Enter DJ Lagway.
After the Gators lost Graham Mertz for the season, Lagway took the helm and went 6-1 in the games he finished at quarterback in 2024. Napier has the talent on both sides of the ball to be a contender, but the injury prone Lagway must stay on the field to reach that potential.
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- during the Gators’ game against the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Lorenzo Vasquez
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- during the Gators’ game against the LSU Tigers on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Bella Rosa
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- during the Gators’ game against the Tulane Green Waves in the Gasparilla Bowl on Friday, December 20, 2024 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Katie Park
Offense:
As mentioned above, the offense will go as far as Lagway can take them. Depth is an issue at the quarterback position so he must stay on the field for the Gators to make a playoff run. The talent and depth is there to support him with 3 starters back on the offensive line. Explosive running backs like Jadan Baugh and Ja’Kobi Jackson will help in the running game and a healthy Eugene Wilson III, will be joined by transfer J. Michael Sturdivant and incoming five-star freshmen Dallas Wilson and legacy commit Vernell Brown III to make up a potentially explosive receiving corp. If Lagway stays upright and progresses as expected, this could be a call back to the Spurrier days at Florida offensively.
Defense:
After an extremely shaky start against Miami and Texas A&M, the gators defense found themselves and other than a breakdown at Texas, played lights out the rest of the season. DE Tyreak Sapp has his eyes on breaking Alex Brown’s single season sack record, while tackles Caleb Banks and LJ McCray have the potential to wreak havoc on what should be a deep defensive line. Myles Graham and Grayson “Pup” Howard lead an experienced linebacker corp and the secondary has the experience to shut down opponents passing attacks.
Special Teams:
A pair of seniors return as kicking specialist in PK Trey Smack and P Tommy Doman will handle those duties. Smack was 18-21 on field goal attempts last season. The return game will feature several explosive players, led by Eugene Wilson III on punt returns. Those gamechangers could make a huge impact in 2025.
Final Thoughts:
The Gators have the talent and open with a pair of winnable games. After that its an absolute gauntlet that includeds back-to-back road games at LSU and Miami sandwiched with a visit from Texas at the Swamp and then on to College Station to face Texas A&M. It doesn’t get much easier after that. To succeed, Lagway has to be healthy, period. Those who chomp certainly hope that ends up being the case.
