ESPN has Gators 19th in 2025 post-spring way-too-early Top 25 rankings
Another day, another football ranking that includes the Florida Gators, This time, it’s from EPSN’s
Mark Schlabach, who on Thursday wrote the following: “With spring practice in the books and the transfer portal closed (although it’s never completely shut with players still signing with new schools), the college football calendar is finally slowing down — for a few weeks at least. It’s a good time for the second edition of the 2025 Way-Too-Early Top 25.”
Florida, coming off an 8-5 season, came in at No. 19. Here is what Schlabach said about the Gators:
Much of Gators coach Billy Napier’s future seems tied to (quarterback DJ) Lagway, who showed a lot of promise in his first season, throwing for 1,915 yards with 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Lagway was a limited participant in spring practice while recovering from a shoulder injury and other ailments. He has started throwing again, and Napier is confident he’ll be fully healthy in offseason workouts.
The Florida Gators returned much of their offensive line, two solid running backs and a recruiting class that included promising wideouts Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III. If Lagway stays healthy, the Gators should build on last season’s strong finish. But they’ll again play one of the most difficult schedules in the FBS with home games against Texas, Georgia (Jacksonville) and Tennessee and road games at LSU, Miami, Texas A&M and Ole Miss.
Penn State is No. 1 in Schlabach’s rankings. “After finally turning the corner under coach James Franklin in 2024, the Nittany Lions look loaded for bear this coming season,” he wrote.
Schlabach’s complete Top 25 looks like this, with the Florida Gators at 19th
- Penn State
- Clemson
- Texas
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- LSU
- Notre Dame
- Oregon
- Alabama
- BYU
- Illinois
- Arizona State
- South Carolina
- Iowa State
- SMU
- Texas Tech
- Indiana
- Kansas State
- Florida Gators
- Michigan
- Miami
- Louisville
- Texas A&M
- Ole Miss
- Oklahoma
Florida will face tow teams in Schlabach’s top five, and six in the top 25. Texas, at No. 3, is the highest-ranked of UF’s opponents. Said Schlabach of the Longhorns: “After waiting patiently for two years, the highly anticipated Arch Manning era is off and running in Austin. Though Manning had limited action against SEC teams, he looks more than ready to take over for departed starter Quinn Ewers. The Longhorns will have to replace four starting offensive linemen; Trevor Goosby was working at left tackle and Cole Hutson moved to center in the spring. Right guard DJ Campbell also had a great spring.”
